Photographs by James Kane, M.D. Trumpeter Swans wintering in Heber Springs, Arkansas

Report a Swan

Trumpeter Watch CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Be part of recording swan history as it happens! You can help us and states and provinces learn about new migration routes, rest stops, wintering areas and nesting grounds.  We share new sightings with swan managers in each flyway. It is so exciting to learn about new areas where Trumpeter Swans are being seen. 

Step 1: Share your banded swan sighting with the Bird Banding Lab. (Reporting a white[ish] GPS collar? Go right now to Step 2)

Please report any neck collared, wing-tagged, or leg banded Trumpeter Swans to the Bird Banding Lab.  If you are reporting a white or yellow(ish) GPS collared swan, go to Step 2 immediately. (The white collars may be stained brown/yellow- orange due to minerals in the water where it feeds. These GPS collars have black solar panels)

When you submit a report of a marked swan to the Bird Banding Lab, the bander will receive a report with your sighting. 

Step 2: Share your swan sighting with TTSS

Your online report (below) will be reviewed by The Trumpeter Swan Society and shared where needed most (state and provincial swan managers).

Your report provides essential information to TTSS and swan managers. Your report increases the long-term security of Trumpeter Swans as they pioneer new areas. You are part of a network of volunteer observers documenting swan numbers, dates, locations and the key characteristics of the habitats they are using. While you are unlikely to hear back about a particular swan, you are helping trumpeter swans in a real and tangible way as your report is shared where it is needed most.

Fill out the quick and easy online Trumpeter Swan Report form below (you can also upload photos or video which are very helpful for us), or download a printable form and mail it to The Trumpeter Swan Society, 12615 Rockford Rd., Plymouth, MN 55441

Quick & Easy Trumpeter Watch Report

Trumpeter Watch Reporting Form

Observer Information

Name (Required)

Email (Required)

State or Province of your SWAN SIGHTING (Required)

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Phone (if we have more questions based on your report) (Required)

Your Mailing Address (City and State/Province are helpful)

Canada United States Country

Address Line 1

City

State

Postal Code

Would you like to sign up for our monthly email newsletter? Keep updated on swan issues and progress across North America.

1. Yes
2. No

Observation Details and Location

Are you reporting a Trumpeter Swan sighting?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I'm not sure what kind of swan I'm seeing

Date(s) of Sightings (Required)

Time of day and weather conditions?

Please provide a detailed description of the location of your observation

Or, use the GPS location from your phone or the link below.

It is helpful for us to know if swans are in a river, lake, wetland, or on shore, or if they are in a field.

Please provide a detailed description of the location of your observation. This should include nearest city, intersection, name of waterbody, and/or GPS coordinates if you have them. (Required)

How many swans did you see?

How many adult (white) swans were seen?

How many juvenile (grey feathered) swans did you see?

Marked Swans (collars, leg bands, wing tags) & behavior

If any swans were marked, let us know the number of marked swans, if they were white or gray, and the collar colors (of the collar itself and color of the letters/numbers), leg band number or wing tag (colors of tag and number). E.g., yellow wing tag J28; red collar, white letters T62

Your sharing of the swan behavior is greatly appreciated if you observe that as well. Thanks so much!

Marked swans: swan color (white, gray), collar/tag color, number/letter color, and if any unmarked swans were present as well.

Any additional information or questions you would like to share (e.g., what were the swans doing [feeding, resting, fighting, nesting, etc] is this the first time you've seen them in this location, have swans been seen there in prior years? This helps us know if it is a new area.)

If you have photos of the swan(s) you saw, please upload them below or, if you have problems uploading your photos, email your photo(s) to ttss@trumpeterswansociety.org

This helps us document the species and/or any marking codes.

No RAW files (.heic) files please.

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Thank you! Look for your confirming email with your report details.

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Prefer to mail in your swan sighting report?

Handy tools for your Trumpeter Swan sighting

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  Swan ID by Collar Color

  Where was the swan banded? Here's a list of collar colors and numbers used by different state and provincial swan restoration programs(pdf). Your report from the Bird Banding Lab will confirm the state or province of your marked swan.

  Yellow collars with black numbers and letter are usually from Wisconsin. Red collars can be from Iowa or from the Rocky Mountain region. Green collars can be from the Pacific Flyway, or even from Minnesota or Iowa. Yellow wing tags are from Ontario.