| Common Name | Trumpeter Swan |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cygnus buccinator |
| Type of Report | Rare Species |
| Date of Observation | 10/03/2018 |
| Number Observed | 1 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | James Osborn |
| Mailing Address | 0-2 Grandview Drive South Burlington, Vermont 05403 United States Map It |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Date Completed | 10/03/2018 |
| Names & Emails of Other Contributing Observers | None |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 0 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 0 |
| Place Name | Patrick Marsh along Charcoal Creek |
| Township | Swanton |
| County | Franklin |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 03:35 PM |
| Length of Time Observed | 37 minutes |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 475 |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 600 |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | Overcast and CALM. No wind at all. |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | ZEISS 8x42 Binoculars |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | I have a great deal of experience with this Species having spent 70 days at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge where this Species is a breeder. Also, I found the bird seen here at Missisquoi NWR on March 18, 2018 (Charcoal Creek) and the bird seen at Mallets Creek in Colchester on March 31, 2018. |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | Patrick Marsh is on the East side of Charcoal Creek South of the Route 78 Bridge. As with Cabot/Clark Marsh on the North side of Route 78, Patrick Marsh is a rice pattie. The conditions here are dependent on the level of the water in Lake Champlain. Other species seen with the Trumpeter Swan included Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, American Black Duck, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Great Blue Heron, and Great Egret. |
| Behaviors Observed | The bird was swimming around in the Marsh area feeding very slowly and deliberately. After a short period of time the bird climbed out of the water and “stretched” its wings. It then started “preening”. Then it got back into the water and swam East across the Marsh. Several times it stretched its neck out and looked around. Then it went back to feeding. An Adult Bald Eagle was in the area which “spooked” all of the ducks and geese out of the Marsh area. The Swan was unaffected by this and continued to feed. Most of the ducks and geese returned to the Marsh area. The Swan didn’t seem to be interested in any of this. |
| Description of Vocalizations | No vocalizations Heard. |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | I stopped along Route 78 to check out the Charcoal Creek area at 3:33 PM. The first bird I saw was a Great Egret in Patrick Marsh. While looking at that bird I discovered the Trumpeter Swan (3:35 PM). The bird was feeding in the water in the Marsh area. It continued to feed for about 15 minutes before getting out of the water to “stretch” its wings and “preen”. It then got back in the water and swam East across the Marsh area. I observed this bird for 37 minutes before it went around the corner out of sight. Field marks noted while under observation: Very large Swan with a large and long black bill. The bill was attached to the forehead in a “V-shape”. The Lores appeared to be the same width as the eye. There was NO YELLOW present. The body was pure white with no markings. The wings were large when stretched. The bird had a short tail and large jet black feet. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Large body with an angular head and neck |
| Head | The crown had a bit of “staining” on it. Otherwise, the crown, throat, and nape were white. The eye was very difficult to see. |
| Feet & Bill | The feet were large and jet black. The bill was large and long. It was also jet black. |
| Upper Back | Pure white |
| Lower Back & Rump | Pure white |
| Wings | Large, long, with NO markings |
| Breast, Belly, Flanks, Under Tail Coverts | The breast, belly, and under tail coverts were all white. This was easy to see when the bird was out of the water. |
| Tail | Short tail with NO markings |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | TUNDRA SWAN: Eliminated by the lack of YELLOW in the lores, the V-Shape connection of the bill to the forehead (U-Shape for Tundra), and the SIZE of the bird. Tundra Swans are “relatively” small compared with other Swans, especially Trumpeter. |
| Other Notes & Comments | This bird moved very purposefully like the other two birds that I found earlier this year. It appeared completely “aloof” to what was going on around it. It didn’t even look at the Adult Bald Eagle when it passed overhead. Everything else “bolted” out of the Marsh. No age or sex determined. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | During the Observation |
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