Birch Lake Swans

Here are some pictures from Jerry and Kay of the swans that were on Birch this week.

It took me a little while to get these posted as I tried to determine if they were trumpeter or tundra swans. I'd always assumed that the trumpeters were more common. I found this page, Endangered Resources Program Species Information, at the DNR site and was more confused when I found the EEK! Critter Corner site with information for kids on trumpeter "lookalikes". They have a separate page for Tundras.



Kay mentioned that we only see them in the spring and fall so that means they could be tundra swans. However, she also mentioned that there are lakes in the area that have swans all summer so they could be trumpeters just moving from another area lake.

I've posted a picture below that I took in the spring of 2010 that gives a closeup of the head.

Any bird watchers out there??? Please chime in.

Hwy W Eagle

Thought I'd post this picture of an eagle that was taken on Hwy W near W. Birch Lake Road. Thanks, Steve, for forwarding Julie's great picture.