Swan Observations Sought

If you have seen wild swans wearing unusual colors, Fish and Game would like to hear from you. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Harriman State Park, in cooperation with several other organizations, are again looking for collared trumpeter swans. This work is part of a three-year study to determine if moving juvenile trumpeter swans (cygnets) during the winter is an effective way to increase distribution of swans wintering in southeastern Idaho. The project is a test of translocating cygnets from Harriman State Park in Fremont County to Bear River in Franklin County. Developing a successful translocation technique could have significant value in managing the Rocky Mountain population of trumpeter swans by dispersing swans to less crowded, yet suitable wintering grounds, and possibly improving the condition of traditional spring habitat. Trapping at Harriman State park began in November and ended December 30. A total of 78 cygnets were trapped at the park. Thirty-nine cygnets were translocated to the Bear River and thirty-nine cygnets were released at the park. All cygnets were leg-banded and neck-collared. All neck collars are green with white lettering. Half of the collars have a VHF radio attached with an antennae embedded in the collar. All cygnets that were translocated to the Bear River also have their right wing dyed pink. The cooperators of this project are asking that all collared or pink-winged cygnets be reported to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at phone: 208-525-7290, or lhanausk@idfg.state.id.us. Last winter cygnets were observed as far away as Moab, Utah and Yuma, Arizona. A swan captured last winter has been observed in Arizona already this year, so these birds may show up anywhere.