Trumpeter Swan Alert
Jlstasz@aol.com
Wed, 27 Jan 1999 19:45:07 EST
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 15:57:43 -0600
From: Bob Hatcher
Subject: Alert for Trumpeter Swans Sightings
12/28/98
The Central Flyway Council reports that Trumpeter
Swans have expanded substantially from releases in
the Great Lakes area since the early 1980's. They
have been sighted in as far south as: southern Illinois
and Indiana, Arkansas, and NW Mississippi. I am not
aware of any confirmed sightings in Tennessee, even
though there was a report of possible Trumpeter
Swans at Lake Lauderdale of Lauderdale County,
Tennessee in January, 1997.
The Central Flyway Council shows a map of potential
winter populations of Trumpeter Swans as far east as
Chattanooga and Crossville, Tennessee and as far
south as Pensacola, Florida.
Almost all released swans were marked with collars or
wing tags, some of which have been lost. Since more
cygnets are now fledged in the wild than directly from
releases, very few wild cynets are being marked before
they fledge, except in Wisconsin.
Some of you may have ALREADY sighted Trumpeter
Swans in Tennessee. Please watch for Trumpeter
Swans during the winter months, especially in West
Tennessee. Please report any Trumpeter Swan
sightings to me (see below), including:
-- date of observation,
-- exact location and county,
-- number individuals observed, including adults and
immatures,
-- field marks or behavior observed,
-- distance when observed,
-- viewing aids used,
-- description of any markers,
-- other documentation,
-- observer(s), and
-- address, phone, and E-mail of reporting observer.
We would like to hear from you to document past or
future sightings for all appropriate records. We will
forward a copy of Tennessee reports to: the Central
Flyway Council, the Records Committee of the
Tennessee Ornithological Society, etc.
Thanks.
Bob Hatcher, Coordinator
Nongame and Endangered Wildlife
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
P.O. Box 40747
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 781-6619
E-mail: bhatcher@mail.state.tn.us