[Mich-chat] Mute Swan survivability

[birdeland at comcast.net]

The last time we were down by Anchor Bay/St. Johns Marsh etc.not long ago,  there were at least 2 dozen on the open waters, about usual.  Usually see several along the St. Clair River both American & Canadian side but this winter few sightings there as the SC River is mostly all ice chunks and moving downstream fast! 



Russ Emmons, St. Clair county 






----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Allen T. Chartier" <amazilia1 at comcast.net> 
To: "Mich-chat" <Mich-chat at envirolink.org> 
Sent: Friday, February 4, 2011 3:55:52 PM 
Subject: Re: [Mich-chat] Mute Swan survivability 


Brian, 

Here in southeastern Michigan, the "inland" Mute Swans head for the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and western Lake Erie which takes longer to freeze. They seem to be behaviorally programmed to move to a larger body of water when a smaller lake freezes (an adaptation to conditions in Europe, perhaps), but each winter quite a few do get frozen into these larger bodies of water when they freeze too. Perhaps they're not as willing to move a second time since the larger bodies of water in Europe, especially England, tend not to freeze in winter. Just my two cents. 

Allen T. Chartier 
amazilia1(at)comcast.net 
Inkster, Michigan, USA 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Brian Allen 
To: Mich-chat 
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 2:27 PM 
Subject: [Mich-chat] Mute Swan survivability 


This winter's hard freeze up has meant an exodus of the usuall hundreds of Mute Swans wintering at Arcadia, Portage Lake, or Manistee Lake in Manistee County.  I am hoping they have perished for the winter but am curious if anyone knows how well they can survive w/o a good foraging site.  Also has anyone noticed higher than usual numbers downstate in still open waters? 

At least there may be some food left in the lakes when ducks come back this spring. 

BA 




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