Swans have arrived early in Southeast Alaska this year, with most lakes still frozen and no green grass anywhere. Most lakes are frozen; the swan is sticking to a small patch of water surrounded by ice.
Observation by Joshua Cohen:
It seems a bit early in the year for swans to be entering their breeding grounds. Most lakes are frozen; the swan is sticking to a small patch of water surrounded by ice. Spring has not begun to green up yet. There is no green grass this time of year. I have observed swan(s) in this lake for 2 years now. It had a mate at first but has been single since mid-summer 2018.
In Metlakatla, it is uncommon for lower elevation lakes to freeze solid in the recent years. Another climate change observation. The lake that swan is on is called Skaters Lake. When the Metlakatla Indian Community inhabited this island they would have community ice skating parties on the lake. The swan arrived to Skaters Lake around Feb 20. The lake has been frozen since about Jan 10. The small puddle of water is actually where a beaver dam is located.
I have been very confused on bird migrations this year. In mid-January, I sighted Canada geese and emperor geese migrating north when there is still snow on the ground. My thoughts are that the cold spell that hit the lower 48 this winter has confused the birds in their normal wintering grounds and now they are searching for food.
Comments from LEO Editors:
This observation has been shared with other LEO members within the trumpeter swan species range for other comments on unusual seasonal behavior.
Pictured below are two images from the eBird Trumpeter Swan sightings map. One image shows sightings reported to eBird in January and February during the year 2000 and prior. The second image shows sightings reported to eBird in January and February during the past ten years. More sightings have been reported to eBird during the past 10 years and during 2000 and prior. Erica Lujan
Canada goose