[wisb] Re: Phantom Lake: Trumpeter Swans
- From: Maureen Gross <cygnusbuccinator@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:58:53 -0600
Nice photos Tom!
Trumpeters need a long runway to take off and they slap the water as
they move rapidly along the water surface. I raised Trumpeters for the
DNR for 10 years as we worked to get them reintroduced in WI. In both
the captive-reared groups and later, in wild flocks, the swans would
head bob if there was something new in their environment. They would
also head bob when a new flock of swans joined them, perhaps individuals
they already knew. Head bobbing is a common behavior that shows
excitement and alerts other swans. It is not unusual to see a flock
head bob just before they take flight.
Male Common Goldeneyes throw their heads against their backs as a mating
display. I have not seen this behavior outside of late winter and spring.
It's fun to read about birders' adventures in the field.
Maureen Gross
Mukwonago, Waukesha County
On 2/12/2012 2:03 AM, Wright Family wrote:
> Late Saturday afternoon, I returned to Phantom Lake to view the two
> Trumpeter Swans I saw earlier on Saturday morning. Earlier, viewing between
> Wales - Waukesha - Mukwonago - Dousman - Wales, were generally unproductive.
> About the only birds viewed were a handful of Common Mergansers on the Fox
> River near Les Paul Pkwy and a Red-tailed Hawk juts south of Dousman. It
> was a ho-hum morning.
>
> One of the two swans was active. It waded in the water before taking
> flight westward. The swan showned some peculialr behavior as it bobbed its
> head numerous times while letting out a modest call. Unforuantely, the
> video failed to capture the swan's sounds. There were a bunch of Common
> GOldeneyes along with the swan. The males wre doing something odd as well.
> Periodically, they would bend their heads backward until it pressed up their
> backs.
>
> Trumpeter Swans:
>
> Video of head bobbing:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6861150183/in/photostream
>
> Wading: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6860826479/in/photostream
> Preparing for takoff:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6860826897/in/photostream/
> Walkin' on Water:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6860827413/in/photostream/
> Walkin' on Water 2:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6860828145/in/photostream/
> Walkin' one last time:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6860829279/in/photostream/
> Houston, we have liftoff:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6860829823/in/photostream/
> In flight:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6860830509/in/photostream/
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Common Goldeneyes:
>
> What is this behavior??
> Backwards head-bob:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6860825967/in/photostream/
>
>
> Red-tailed hawk: If you ever had trouble identifying a RT hawk in flight,
> look at the following:
> In-flight from underneath:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6860825635/in/photostream/
> And another from underneath:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/22836210@N03/6860825321/in/photostream/
>
>
>
> Thanks,
> Tom Wright
> Wales
>
>
>
>
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