NEBRASKA: Trumpeter swans are creatures of habit(at).

Good read by our own Trumpeter Swan Society Board member Mark Vrtiska on trumpeter swans in the Nebraska Sandhills.

Key points from his Nebraskaland Magazine article:

▪️Site loyalty: 38 GPS-tagged swans showed 80% return to the same nesting wetland and just over 70% to familiar wintering areas.

▪️Quality matters: Their preferred spots are clear, plant-rich waters—good indicators of overall wetland health.

▪️Why it matters: As Mark writes, “Swans are the big, white ‘canaries’ of high-quality wetlands, lakes, creeks and rivers.” Their status reflects how well we’re caring for these places—and, by extension, our own environment.

Discover the pivotal role this wild and beautiful refuge played in saving trumpeter swans.

The remote Centennial Valley is on the north side of the Continental Divide, in Southwest Montana. It is a vast, high elevation, nearly intact, landscape of forest, sagebrush steppe, wet meadow, and the largest wetland complex in the 20 million-acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The Red Rock Lakes NWR was established in the Valley in 1935 by President Franklin Roosevelt to save what was believed to be the nearly extinct trumpeter swan. In addition to helping save the swan, the result has been extraordinary conservation of other iconic wildlife on the brink in the Yellowstone Region.

Presenter: Bill West, Retired Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Manager

ALASKA: "FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU) - Migratory birds have returned to Fairbanks for the spring and summer, as Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge prepares the red carpet for their new arrivals." Read more...

WEBINAR: Wetlands are an important ecosystem that provide habitat for plants and animals, but have multiple benefits to humans as well. In this webinar, you will learn:
• How to know if you’re looking at a wetland
• The different kinds of wetlands you may see or have in your area
• Wetland functions and benefits
• The current status of wetlands (losses, threats and protection)
· And, finally, how you can help.

WISCONSIN: "Almost every spring, swans break their northward migration with a stop in Northeast Wisconsin.

That time of year has arrived, despite the near-freezing temperatures that make spring seem distant. But on Monday, thousands of swans descended into Shiocton, signifying spring may not be far off."

ALASKA: You can watch the Trumpeter Swan Society film, Return of the Trumpeters, at this festival. "Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in conjunction with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game celebrates the arrival of spring as migratory species return to Interior Alaska. Late April is an ideal time to view trumpeter swans, Canada geese, white-fronted geese and different duck species.

Activities include guided nature walks, bird watching, wildlife viewing, falconry demonstrations and crafts for kids. You can also visit the Farmhouse Visitor Center in the Creamer family farmhouse, established in the early 1800s, which showcases exhibits on migratory birds and its dairy farm history.

The free event welcomes all ages – just dress appropriately and wear boots!" Click for the festival link

IDAHO: "It is amazing what a few days of warm weather can bring into southeastern Idaho, by softening the snow and exposing grains, rotten potatoes and seed-producing plants left for migrating birds.

Deer Parks Wildlife Management Area west of the Menan Buttes has become a very busy place this past week with hundreds of trumpeter swans, Canada geese, and ducks showing up to feed. In a harvested corn field across from Ririe High School, hundreds of trumpeters and Canadas have also found enough leftover corn to draw them to that field." Read more...