Tundra Swan Migration

Vince Pagliaroli

Vince Pagliaroli

Well-known member

The Spring Swan migration began through our area very sporadic, several days ago.

From 2am until 9am this morning, flocks continue flying north, and then west towards Lake Erie. Long Point, rest and good food maybe?

Since the early 1950's I have listened and watched both the fall and spring Swan migrations and they never cease to amaze me. How such as grand bird can fly so high and so far.

Kortright's book calls them Whistling Swans. Now they are Tundra Swans and still as magnificent as ever. Page 76 has the recipe, To Roast A Swan and The Gravy.

I have had Swan permits, but just cannot convince myself to touch the trigger. They have held such a valued place in my life.

May they do well and bring forth many cygnets.


There is no life, like the life of a Waterfowler. We are Blessed.
 
I’m at a wintering ground for the great tundra swan so I don’t get to see a migration really because once they show up in fall they are here til spring. Last year I received a permit and shot one using my sneak tactics. Man they are heavy to carry 3/4 mile and it was as big as me, I’m only 5’4”

N.C. upped the permiya this year from 5000 to 6250 so the population must be doing well..., the farmers at least say so since their wheat suffer from the swans presence. Was even y’all of some special nuisance permits going to be issued to deter the swan from the fields.

Hope it doesn’t come to that but they are plentiful here. They truly are a magnificent bird that I love to watch and listen to
 
Vince

Swans are wonderful bird, But do a lot of damage to feeding grounds for ducks and geese. They feed right down to the roots of plants. I to never could shot one. But I did run into a flock of them once in the fog, Lots of feather but know dead birds. Very nicely written.
 

Ben - I did lots of waterfowl hunting in NC, and brought petitions north to get the Swan season open in some states in the Atlantic Flyway. Fairfeld, Lake Mattamuskeet, NC is Swan central, from what I saw. Many times we could not shoot at Pintails, cuz there were way to many Tundra Swans in the air. Once the season was opened I would not think filling a permit would be that much of a problem.



Anthony - If they would address the mute swan problem, especially in NY (good luck) it would go far for marsh, pond and lake damage control. I don't believe that Tundra Swans linger long enough here to be a problem. Thank you for the kind words about the writing.


As grand as the Tundra Swan are, the Trumpeter is even more impressive in my mind. The first time I heard them out west I dropped to my knees. It was like hearing the trumpets of God. I recently read that the season for them will be opening as well.

My goodness some waterfowl populations have come a long way in 100 years haven't they.
 
Vince Pagliaroli said:
My goodness some waterfowl populations have come a long way in 100 years haven't they.
Click to expand...

Even in the last 30 years!
Most beginners these days werent around for the late 80's and early 90's when the limit was 3 birds. Or when the Canada goose population crashed in the eastern flyway.
We've been living the "good old days" as far as waterfowl numbers go for a pretty long time, with a liberal season in place since 1996 or 1997 (??).
 
Vince~

Here in eastern NY, one has to be lucky to run across Tundra Swans. In the 1980s, I had 40 stool right in before shooting time; I believe they were still Whistling Swans back then. I will forever remember their calls, their wings and their grace. This inspiration has stuck with me (this bird is half-size).

View attachment sm Tundra Swan.JPG
You also reminded me of an old memory. My Grandfather retired to NC in the 50s. He lived near Mattamuskeet - and once worked in Swan Quarter. I had never connected the two before - thanks!

All the best,

SJS



 
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I hear thee Carl.

Only problem is now waterfowl hunter numbers are in decline. I read that nationwide we number less than 1 million, for the first time in a very, long time. Not good.

Man I can remember when PA had 1 million deer hunters, and many of them also hunted waterfowl.

Did not matter how low the limit was, how short the season, or what ducks the season was closed on. Folks still went hunting and pumped millions of dollars into conservation and the economy. Ya took what was offered, with little bitchin' & moanin', and waited for lean times to become fat. I doubt that boat would float today.
 
Steve

Your very welcome. I do believe you need to get down to Fairfield, and Swan Quarter, NC to have a look see, and hunt. You will not be disappointed.

As you wrote, when they do decide to land in you spread it is something you never forget.
 
Good morning, Vince~

I do plan to get down there soon - but not necessarily with gunning gear. My sister recently moved to Southport - home of The Old Man and the Boy's Robert Ruark. And, I want to visit my Grandfather's old haunts - and those of my Dad when he returned from Guadalcanal as a young Marine during WW II.

All the best,

SJS

 
Steve
When you make it down here give me a call, be nice to meet another carver. I’m about 1.5 hours north of lake Mattamuskeet, I truly am privileged to live in such a rich historic area.
 
Mattamuskett and Pungo National Wildlife Refuges are great places for swans. I did my Masters degree work on swans at Mattamuskett in the early 1980s. I used to stay in Swan Quarter at the only motel/restaurant/seafood packing house in town. I even took my bride to Hyde County on our honeymoon. It helped marrying a waterfowl biologist who’s father was a New England lobsterman. But back to Vince’s post, tundra/whistling swans and their cousins the Trumpeter swans are beautiful creatures. Both are pretty docile when banding. Mute swans are the non native, territorial, aggressive swans that cause the problems with other waterfowl and people around their nests.
 
Brad

Thank you for your personal info on this subject, it adds to the knowledge that is critical when folks discuss Swans. Mute Swans are a hot topic in NY, and most folks don't know one Swan from another unfortunately.

Man I can only imagine what it must be like to band Tundra and Trumpeter Swans. Your living the dream.



At a young age waterfowl and their migrations were the only books that were of interest to me.

After reading Travels and Traditions of Waterfowl by H. Albert Hochbaum. My mind was made up as to what I wanted to do, and what I wanted to see for myself.

Pymatuning was not far from my home. As a young waterfowler I knew Mr. Ray Sickles, PA Game Protector, and then long time manager for the PA Game Commission. He was a stern man, of knowledge. passion and focus for his calling.

Sickles is quoted on page 100, of Hochbaums book, concerning the major Tundra/Whistling Swan migration corridor over Pymatuning.

It became easier for me to grasp that what I witnessed each Spring and Fall was of major importance for waterfowl and waterfowl conservation.

So as a waterfowler I migrated to where I needed to be, to SEE what was and still is, of major importance to me.

Neal Conoley Jr.'s book Waterfowl Heritage North Carolina Decoys And Gunning Lore, just added to my desire to go where I had to be. Having already hunted the coastal areas of NC, it was time for me to go a tad inland. I sure am glad that I did. It did my heart good to see all those Tundra Swans that I had watched migrate for so many years on their wintering grounds.
 
Steve

Your Swan decoy finally appeared on your post. Lotta style in the bird. Two thumbs up.

If you should go to NC when the birds are there, you will want to hunt. As a lifelong waterfowler you will not be able to resist, even if you have no desire to shoot a Swan.

The Canvas Decoy bug bit me there long ago, and may just do the same to you...[;)]
 
Upon arriving to work yesterday morning I heard swans, I looked up and there was roughly a flock of 100 coming from the north turning west and headed to Lake Erie. Not sure where they spent the night or flew all night but it did make my day. By the way I work in the City of Buffalo so it makes it even more odd to see them fly over.
 
Vince

Funny you should mention Hochbaum and his book Travels and Traditions. Al was a personal friend and a bit of a mentor. His books certainly had an impact on me as a young waterfowl student. But I have never understood why more waterfowl hunters haven't read these books. I have given many good friends copies of them for their libraries. I think a waterfowlers appreciation for the birds and the sport increase greatly by gaining more knowledge of waterfowl.

Having harvested swans I can tell you that they are exciting to hunt, are great table fare but one can not help but have a bit of remorse for taking such a beautiful bird.

Brad
 
Vince one of my favorite Swan sightings was taking a walk on Thanksgiving morning to Lake Evans, everything was grey the sky the water and I heard their call.
Ann said Geese? I said no Swans. About 20 landed on the water in front of us. They were bright white against the grey close enough that we heard the swish of the water as they landed.
Real cool
Ken
 
Brad


You are indeed lucky/blessed, to have such a mentor and friend as Mr. Hochbaum. I cannot begin to imagine the impact it would have on a young waterfowl student.


I agree about more waterfowl hunters reading his books. It only stands to reason that one would want more knowledge about the birds they think about almost everyday.

Also the works of Frank C. Belrose, and Francis H. Kortright. Having a well rounded library is essential to being a waterfowler. The hunger to learn more never ceases until we are planted.

When I give friends a copy of a Sand County Almanac, they read it. When I offer the other books mentioned, they are not so enthusiastic. To much homework maybe, I dunno.


When I moved to NY at the age of 60 1/2, a longtime waterfowler & decoy carver. I had to take a Waterfowl ID Course, if I wanted to hunt certain public areas. You must show a card proving you passed the course, or no hunting for you.

Anywho, I had to take the course with youngsters, as it was the only course left before the season. It did not bother me at all, but two other older guys were not so happy. Long story short, even as a Geezer waterfowler I learned things and had a very good experience.


As a child I made my wish list as to the waterfowl that I wanted to hunt, near and far. Swans were never on the list. As their call and sight of them was spiritual no matter when, or where. I count my years on earth with the migrations of Swans. I can sit with binoculars and sketch pad and watch them for hours. They appear one day and are gone the next.

Hunting Swans is indeed exciting, but to touch the trigger I cannot. To those that do I wish you the best.
 
Ken

Good memory and story. Could be that's why you like making so many Swan decoys. Appreciation fuels inspiration and creativity.

Gray skies make Swans even more beautiful, and they do leave a impression when landing on water.


No Swan migration today. 20 inches of heavy late winter fresh snow, and more on the way. Old Man winter is not going away anytime soon.
 
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