For birdwatchers like you and I, the inevitable swapping of the seasons always induces some kind of change in what species of birds we get to watch and photograph.
An example of this relates to the trumpeter swan, a bird never seen here in Utah during the summer months but one that is becoming increasingly common during winter in parts of northern Utah as they migrate through this neck of the woods and fly south for the season.
When I head out to go birdwatching on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour route this time of year I can all but guarantee driving past at least a couple trumpeter swans feeding in an old grain field on my way to the bird refuge.
My latest birding trip was certainly no different as this very afternoon, in fact, I watched a nearby flock of 6 trumpeter swans take to the air and, from what I could tell at least, purposely headed towards a different grain field to join another flock that had a dozen swans feeding in it a couple miles further down the road.
I was driving in the same direction as the swans were flying, literally paralleling each other for a considerable distance, and they were keeping up with me for well over a mile until they turned and landed with the other flock of trumpeter swans.
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From just looking at my speedometer during this unique experience I learned trumpeter swans can fly 45 miles per hour as these birds had no problem pacing me at that speed for several minutes until they decided to land again.
What’s so incredible about this newly found knowledge is the trumpeter swan is noted to be the heaviest flying bird in North America with males averaging over 26 pounds and individuals measuring up to six feet in length, and despite this massive size, they can still fly at least 45 miles per hour.
Because of their enormous weight and length, and very similar to tundra swans taking flight mind you, trumpeter swans can use as much as 100 yards to get off the ground as they flap their wings while propeling with their feet to get themselves airborne.
It’s quite an impressive sight to behold in person when such large birds take to the air like this, especially as close as it was for me today despite being in a vehicle at the time.
Biologists don’t know where these trumpeter swans have flown from, namely their summer breeding grounds, and where they are headed for the next few months as winter settles in.
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There is, however, a research study being done that will, hopefully, fill in the missing pieces regarding the trumpeter swan migration through northern Utah during the winter months.
Utah has both trumpeter and tundra swans migrating through its wetlands during late fall and winter and the two species are fairly hard to discern one from another, especially on the wing as they are quite similar in appearance from a distance, except for a variation in both their overall size and vocalization that is.
If you’re out and about doing a little birding in northern Utah this time of year and come across swans feeding or loafing in a grain field during the day, well, you just might be watching some trumpeter swans so take out your camera and snap a few photographs as they are only here for a short while during winter.
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