Trumpeter Swans

Trumpeter Swan Program Goal Has Been Met!
Thank-you for supporting the Trumpeter Swan Program at Wye Marsh! A recent report authored by Mr. Harry Lumsden, the coordinator of the Ontario Trumpeter Swan Program, has confirmed for the first time in the program's history, the objectives have been attained in reaching a self sustaining population of Trumpeter Swans. At this time, records have confirmed that there are now an estimated 1000 individuals in the Province of Ontario and an estimated 131 breeding pairs, a good indication of the success of the program! Having stated this, every healthy individual and breeding pair is an extremely valuable asset to the Trumpeter Swan Program as their success will largely influence the continuation of an increasing population.

Wye Marsh joined restoration efforts in 1988 and has established itself as one of the main cooperators in the Ontario Program. Each year, our dedicated Wye Marsh staff and volunteers monitor approximately one third of the Ontario Trumpeter Swan population.

What This Success Means For Wye Marsh…
Wye Marsh, like all cooperators of the Trumpeter Swan Program across Ontario is shifting its focus to the monitoring aspect of the program. Daily monitoring by staff and volunteers will continue to measure the growth and wellbeing of the population. There are some changes, however, that must occur, including a decreased attempt to feed swans throughout the growing season when a natural food source is plentiful. A decreased reliance on supplemented food during this time will encourage Trumpeters to continue to expand throughout their range in a more natural setting, as well as to ensure that they are consuming the nutrients that their bodies require naturally. Feeding will only occur in times when there is ample opportunity to tag and band swans; during times when swans are staging at Wye Marsh in late fall and early spring. Tagging and banding is essential for a successful monitoring program!

During the winter, Wye Marsh will continue to keep an air bubbler system running to allow open water for our resident swans and those swans preferring to endure local winter conditions rather than migrate south. Lake Ontario has provided a satisfactory wintering ground for many Ontario Trumpeters for the last fifteen years.

Although original program goals have been met, there is still a need to continue our efforts to ensure this species' numbers continue to increase and their presence remains without end. We still need your help!

Come Visit Us!
New to the Wye Marsh Trumpeter Swan Program is one permanent resident swan housed in the pond at our Treatment Centre. This swan is a male, named Roscoe. Last fall, Roscoe experienced a wing injury that has left him flightless. Although it is unfortunate that he will no longer be able to fly or survive on his own in the wild, we are excited that he now has a safe place to live, and will be cared for by our dedicated team. Their living quarters provide them with a natural setting, which is also close enough to allow viewing for educational purposes. We encourage all visitors to say hello to Roscoe!

Interested In Becoming Involved?
There are a number of ways for wildlife enthusiasts and interested members of surrounding communities to continue their involvement in the Wye Marsh Trumpeter Swan Program. To continue thorough monitoring, we encourage the public to continue to send in their reports of Trumpeter Swans sightings. Sightings include all Trumpeter Swans, tagged and/or banded, untagged, adult and cygnets, and should include as much information as possible, such as location, total number of individuals, general comments about behaviour, appearance and health, etc.

Another great way to become involved is by joining our team of dedicated volunteers! By becoming an official Wye Marsh volunteer in the Swan Program, you will be trained by qualified staff to feed and monitor wild Trumpeters, monitor and care for our permanent resident swans, and join our animal care team dedicated to the care and recovery of sick and injured Trumpeter Swans.

Adopt-a-Swan
Between 1997 and 2007, 51 swans have been “adopted” through the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. By choosing a level of adoption that best suits your interests, your monetary donation will be used in many areas of the Trumpeter Swan Program . Your donation may be used towards purchasing feed for tagging and banding purposes, medical bills, treatment for sick and injured swans, population and other research, educational materials, swan pond and berm rehabilitation, and more.

We Couldn't Have Done It Alone
The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre relies on financial contributions from individuals and organizations to be able to continue this important work.

The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre urges the surrounding community to be proud of its involvement in the Trumpeter Swan Program. We are honoured to be a part of efforts that have successfully restored an incredible species that was once nearly extinct. This exciting milestone reached would not have been possible without the help and dedication of the many volunteers and supporters of this program.

Thank-you all for your assistance!

For further information, please contact Trumpeter Swan Program Coordinator at Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre (705) 526-7809

“Behind The Scenes” with The Trumpeter Swans - Read Poster
Witness all the activity as pairs of swans prepare to venture out into the Marsh and beyond.  You will see their nesting grounds, and summering grounds for juveniles and those without mates, there is a ton of activity, socializing, and spring like behavior, including mating displays that can be safely viewed from the Wye Marsh berm.  This is your chance to experience a “Behind The Scenes” tour with our Trumpeter Swan Program Coordinator, as she attempts to tag and band unmarked Trumpeters before they disperse to other wetlands for the summer. Other possibilities for the tour include treatment of sick or injured Trumpeters in the Wye Marsh Treatment Centre, and learning the basics of feeding and monitoring wild swans.

Included in this “Behind the Scenes” pass, you will receive an exclusive tour of our facility, learn about the Trumpeter Swan Program, and lend a hand while getting “up close and personal” with some of our wildlife.  To commemorate your visit you will receive a souvenir crest or pin.

Note: Highlights of the tour are dependent on appropriate conditions, and are subject to change.

Cost: $40 per person

Pre-registration and payment required, please call (705) 526-7809. 24 hour cancellation policy.

Escape…Explore…Experience...

Getaway Packages with Wye Marsh & Local Bed and Breakfasts

Wye Marsh and some of our local Bed and Breakfasts have teamed up to offer you some truly unique experiences.  Now open to the public, we are offering “Behind The Scenes Tours” with our naturalist's teams that care for Trumpeter Swans, Birds of Prey, and Wet N Scaly Creatures.  We also offer Ecotour experiences with a qualified and knowledgeable stewardship staff into some of the most inaccessible areas of Wye Marsh. READ MORE>>

Trumpeter Swan

April 23, 2007 - Final necropsy results stating the cause of death of J.J. the Trumpeter Swan were received from the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (CCWHC) at the University of Guelph, Monday of this week.  Final diagnosis concludes that J.J.'s passing was the result of a fungal infection of the air sacs, caused by common environmental fungi called Aspergillosis.  In her initial care after wing surgery at U of G, it was suspected that J.J. may have a respiratory infection.  Although tests came back negative, she was treated with medication as prevention for the early stages of an A spergillus sp infection.

After treatment J.J. was moved to the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre for recovery and rehabilitation.  Her health was monitored and after remaining healthy for 1 month, with no signs of infection, she was released into the outdoor waterfowl enclosure to allow a more natural rehabilitation of her wing.  We continued to monitor her health twice daily and according to our best observations, there were no signs leading us to believe that she was suffering from any illness or discomfort.

After her death and in conversations with Dr. Kate Welch from the CCWHC we learned that “wild birds are often really good at hiding their ailments, because if they were to appear weak they would be taken by predators”.  Aspergillosis is a particularly common cause of fungal air sac and lung infections in birds, and is usually found in birds with compromised immune systems.  Unfortunately, J.J. had suffered so many traumas in her short life that the fungi were able to spread quickly and lead to her death without so much as a cause for concern by our monitoring personnel.  Although according to the CCWHC, the swans sharing J.J.'s pond are at no added risk of contracting Aspergillosis because they are in good health and have experienced no recent traumas, Wye Marsh will continue to monitor them closely, and take the appropriate precautions.

Wye Marsh Sadly Announces the Death of J.J. The Trumpeter Swan - April 5th, 2007
It is with great sadness that we are reporting the passing of J.J. The Trumpeter Swan.  J.J. gained notoriety as the Trumpeter Swan that was rescued from Lake Simcoe in December of 2006.

She was discovered at the edge of the Outdoor Swan Treatment Pond this morning at 10:00am, April 5th , during the daily monitoring.  It is believed she passed away in the early morning hours. There were no signs of obvious trauma and during her daily monitoring, she had shown no signs of illness or stress.  Her remains will be going to University of Guelph this weekend to have a necropsy performed.  All results will be released to the media and the general public when they become available.  The Trumpeter Swan Coordinator who discovered J.J. is reported as saying, “This kind and gentle swan will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved her.”

World Of Trumpeter Swans

April and early May is an exciting time in the World of Trumpeter Swans
at Wye Marsh! As swan pairs prepare for spring there is a ton of activity,
socializing, and spring like behavior, including mating displays that can be safely
viewed from the Wye Marsh berm.
Through February and March there were consistently between 50 – 80 wild
swans frequenting the Wye Marsh Swan Pond. In the weeks to follow, these
swans will disperse throughout the area, moving in all directions to areas of
prime wetland habitat. Paired swans will defend their territories and start nest
building; these territories are normally defended year after year by the same pair.
Juvenile swans and those without mates will group together and spend the
spring and summer feeding, and for the first year juveniles, learning the basics of
survival on their own without the help of Mom and Dad, who have pushed them
away in preparation for the newest brood additions (swan babies are called
cygnets).

Be sure to visit Wye Marsh this spring to have your glimpse of our famous swan
pair, Jack and Dianne and their newest family additions. Cygnets typically hatch
between the end of May and early June.

Please feel free to contact the Swan Program Coordinator at ext. 220, with your
sightings and reports of swans in the area! All information regarding Trumpeter
Swans is welcomed and encouraged.

The magnificent Trumpeter Swans: Once an endangered species

When the Hurons inhabited the Wye Valley 350 years ago, the graceful beauty of the Trumpeter Swan was likely a common sight. However, habitat loss and over hunting completely eliminated this species from Eastern Canada.

Less than two dozen pairs remained in all of Canada, and the Trumpeter Swan became an Endangered Species. In 1988, the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre became involved in returning Trumpeters to their native habitat through participation in a national reintroduction program. This high profile program has become the signature program of the Wye Marsh.

Wye Marsh tries to keep our members and interested swan spotters up-to-date on Trumpeter Swan happenings throughout North America. As the long term environmental impacts affect all regions of the North American continent we try to monitor Trumpeter Swan news. Additional news on Trumpeter Swans in North America can be found on our Trumpeter Swan Links page. Those interested in adding comments, or observations can post information on our Wye Marsh weblog

You can now make a donation to Wye Marsh on-line. To make an on-line donation, please click on the "Donate Now" button above.