FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2005

CONTACTS: Todd Hogrefe 517-373-1263 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

Trumpeter Swan Observations Requested from Public The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is participating in a continent-wide census event to determine the population size and distribution of trumpeter swans, a threatened species that has recently experienced a successful recovery in the United States. The DNR is asking the public to help in the census by reporting any trumpeter swan observations.

"To obtain the best coverage, we are asking the public to report observations of these birds during August and September," said Todd Hogrefe, endangered species coordinator with the DNR Wildlife Division. The trumpeter swan's recovery represents another success in endangered species recovery. Historically, trumpeter swans nested in wetlands across much of the continental United States, including Michigan. By 1885, commercial and sport hunting and wetland destruction had eliminated the population from the state. By 1900, the species was actually considered extinct throughout its range. Decades later, though, two previously unknown populations were discovered in the Rocky Mountains and Alaska.

Efforts to restore the species to Michigan began in the late 1980s. From 1989 to 1991, trumpeter swan eggs were collected from pairs maintained by zoos and from wild pairs in Alaska. The eggs were hatched and young were reared in captivity for two years at the MSU Kellogg Biological Station. Initial releases in Michigan occurred at Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Rifle River Recreation Area and MSU Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. In 1992, released birds began to successfully nest and rear offspring, representing the first natural reproduction of the species in Michigan in more than a hundred years. Since then, additional birds have been released and the population has grown dramatically. In 2004, 655 trumpeter swans were counted during the late summer survey.

The highest concentration of birds can be found in the eastern Upper Peninsula, with additional populations found in the northeast and southwestern Lower Peninsula. Additional releases and dispersal from the original release sites have resulted in swans in other areas, including Gogebic and Ontonagon counties in the western UP, Manistee and Mason counties in the northwest LP and Washtenaw County in the southeast LP.

"Trumpeter swans in Michigan represent a remarkable conservation success story," said Hogrefe. "The reintroduction program has restored a component of Michigan's natural heritage, which had been missing for more than a century."

Although the population is doing well, the trumpeter swan remains protected as a State Threatened Species, due to the young age of the population and its somewhat limited distribution within the state.

Both trumpeter swans and mute swans occur in Michigan. To avoid confusion with mute swans, which are not native and will not be counted, citizens making trumpeter swan reports should familiarize themselves with the differences between the two species:

Bill and head: Trumpeters have a black bill with a red line on the upper edge of the lower bill and the head is wedge-shaped. Mute swans have a bright orange bill and a distinctive black knob on the forehead.

Neck shape: Trumpeter swan necks are kinked at the base and often form a 'C' curve. Mute swans tend to hold their necks in an 'S' curve with their bills pointing down.

Observers should submit reports to the following individuals, based on the location of the observation -- southern LP: Joe Johnson, MSU Kellogg Bird Sanctuary (269-671-2511); northeast LP: Elaine Carlson, DNR (989-826-3211 x 7030); northwest LP: Ruthann French, DNR (231-775-9727); eastern UP: Kristie Sitar, DNR (906-293-5024); western UP: Alisa Bartos, USDA Forest Service (906-265-5139 x 33) and Brian Bogaczyk, USDA Forest Service (906-932-1330 x 509). People submitting reports should be prepared to provide the specific location and date of observation. Information on single swans, pairs, pairs with young, and flocks with three or more swans will be useful. Only observations made during late summer 2005 should be reported.

"The people of Michigan will play an important role in this survey," said Joe Johnson, chief wildlife biologist at the MSU Kellogg Bird Sanctuary.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.

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