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I too closely examined the Swan pictures that Phil Douglass
and Ted Steinke recently posted on Utah Birds. At high magnification it
was obvious that these were not of the same bird. Ted's swan at Salt Creek
WMA had much more extensive yellow lores than Phil's swan at Harold Crane.
The latter bird agrees well with the picture of a Whistling Swan with maximum
yellow shown in Sibley's GUIDE TO BIRDS (p. 73). However, Ted's swan
definitely looks like the Eurasian Bewick's race. Whether this is a true
migrant bird or an escapee is anyone's guess.
Incidentally, Salt Creek WMA is much closer to Harold Crane
than the 60 miles stated on Utah Birds! As the crow flies (or in this case
the swan), the distance is about 10 miles.
FYI a Eurasian Whooper Swan (an Old World cousin of our
Trumpeter) spent the winter of 2003-2004 in Yellowstone NP.
Also in February, 2004, 1 or possibly 2 Bewick's Swans were
reported at Farmington Bay WMA. I photographed one on the Turpin
Unit. At that time I didn't own a Sibley so relied on the opinions of
some local birding experts and my National Geo Guide in identifying this as a
Bewick's. Today I went back and reexamined my picture of this bird.
Oops! According to Sibley, this was definitely the American Whistling Swan
race! Sorry, folks. :(
REMINDER. Next Saturday evening UDWR and Bill Fenimore's
Wild Bird Center in Layton will cosponsor:
Sunset on Mar. 26 will be at 6:46 p.m. Phil
Douglass will have a parabolic mike set up to listen to the swan
chorus.
Those coming from the south should plan to meet at the
north entrance of Farmington Bay WMA at 6:30 p.m. Here's a link with a
map: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/habitat/farmington_bay.html.
The least confusing way to get there from the south is to exit I-15 at
#322. Turn right into Centerville and then left at the first
stoplight. Take the Frontage Road (past McDonald's) 3 miles north to
Glover's Lane. Turn left and follow this road to 1325 West (just before
the row of tall transmission towers). Turn left and follow the dirt
road past the entrance gate to the Education Center.
I conclude with one of my dreaded Jimericks:
}:)
Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) was a master British woodblock engraver
whose work was much admired by Audubon:
That's all folks,
Jim McIntyre
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