Photo by Dr. A. Fredrickson

INTERIOR AND ATLANTIC POPULATIONS

• All native Trumpeter Swans were extirpated from this region. Current flocks are the result of restoration programs that began in 1960 using Trumpeters from Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Montana, and later eggs from Alaska.
• In 2004, these populations contained about 4,457 Trumpeters, including 3,245 adults and 1,212 cygnets, according to data compiled by TTSS Board member Joe Johnson from state and provincial estimates. This is a 76% increase from the 2,430 Trumpeters (1,710 adults and 720 cygnets) counted during the last official range-wide survey in 2000. The next official range-wide survey will occur in 2005.
• In 2004, estimate distribution was Minnesota-1,866, Michigan-655, Ontario-601, High Plains Flock (South Dakota and Nebraska)-534; Wisconsin-400, Iowa-250, Ohio-115, Manitoba-30, and New York-6.
• The flocks in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario, South Dakota, Michigan, and Nebraska are all self-sustaining when it comes to breeding habitat and recruitment of young. However, many of the birds are dependent on supplemental feeding to survive the winter.
• 121 swans were released in restoration programs in 2004. 1,091 cygnets were produced in the wild.
• There is great interest in restoration among the general public, private landowners with suitable wetlands, and private swan propagators.

Issues

• The need to restore or generate new migration routes to suitable wintering sites further south to change the winter distribution pattern.
• Continued need to develop a consensus among the involved states on management practices for Trumpeter Swans, particularly winter feeding.
• Need to look at flock size vs potential wintering habitat.
• Need to determine when restoration flocks are self-sustaining and no longer require releases of captive-reared birds.
• Need to continue to work with energy companies to address power line collision mortality.
• Continue to address problems with lead poisoning caused by ingesting lead shot pellets.
• Need to resolve potential conflicts between Trumpeter Swan restoration and Tundra Swan hunting.

• Coordinating the revision and implementation of the management plan for the Interior Population.
• Assisting in the development of the first management plan for the Atlantic Coast Population.
• Identifying important wintering sites and habitat protection and enhancement strategies.
• Coordinating monitoring of marked Trumpeters throughout the Midwest.
• Providing the vision and technical expertise for the restoration of Trumpeter Swans for all Midwest and East Coast restoration projects.

Accomplishments

• Provided technical assistance for all state and provincial restoration programs.
• Helped prepare the current "Management Plan for the Interior Population of Trumpeter Swans" with funding from the World Wildlife Fund.
• Helped secure $100,000 in grants from Scott Paper Ltd. for restoration efforts in Ontario.
• Prepared composite population surveys for the Interior Population.
• Coordinated sightings of marked birds that disperse to southern states.
• Provided public information on swan propagation, power line collision issues and prevention strategies, lead poisoning problems, and answers to diverse questions from schools and the general public.
• Worked with state and local officials to establish and improve major swan wintering viewing location in Monticello, Minnesota.
• Educated private landowners who have wintering or breeding Trumpeter Swans on their land.
  
  

Ontario Working Group

This group, organized by TTSS Director Harry Lumsden, is focused on reestablishing a wild breeding flock of Trumpeter Swans in Ontario. Contact:

Harry G. Lumsden
144 Hillview Road Aurora, Ontario L4G 2M5, Canada
ph. 905-727-6492; fax 905-713-7361;e-mail: THEHOLTENTWO@cs.com

Interior Population Working Group

This group is organized by TTSS Director Larry Gillette.
Contact:
Larry Gillette
The Trumpeter Swan Society
12615 Country Road 9 - Suite #100
Plymouth, MN 55441-1248
ph. 763-694-7842; fax 763-557-4943; email: ttss@threeriversparkdistrict.org