SAN JUAN PRESERVATION TRUST

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San Juan Preservation Trust

Bob Myhr
Executive Director
The San Juan Preservation Trust
Box 327
(3157 Fisherman Bay Road)
Lopez Island WA 98261-0327
Voice:
360-468-3202
Fax:
360-468-3509
e-mail: sjptrust
@rockisland.com
web page: rockisland.com/
~sjptrust/

Help count swans

posted 12/04/01
Trumpeter swans have begun to return to the islands from their summer breeding grounds in Alaska. Flying southward with their juveniles on a 2,000-mile journey, these graceful birds, among the largest waterfowl, seek the fresh water, food, quiet and security they have traditionally known in the San Juans in the winter.

This year, The San Juan Preservation Trust and The Trumpeter Swan Society will again conduct a survey throughout the swan’s wintering period in the islands. Survey information will be useful in assessing swan health and whether the islands continue to be attractive and suitable swan habitat.

Last year, 59 volunteers monitored 95 sites on San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, Shaw, Henry and Waldron Islands. The survey made a total of 1,368 sightings. The swan population seemed down on all the islands, which may have been related to drier than normal weather. The high count was 53 swans in San Juan Valley in March. The Orcas high count was 30 at Cascade Lake during the December cold snap. Lopez appeared to have 16 resident swans, mainly at the south end. The survey had its first reported sighting on Henry Island.

Survey volunteers visit designated sites from November through March. The survey team welcomes new volunteers and has a particular need for additional coverage on Blakely, Cypress, and the north end of Lopez islands. Those interested in participating should call contact survey coordinator Cherill Perera at 360.468.3260 or The San Juan Preservation Trust at 360.468.3202 or e-mail mcooper@sjpt.org.

Society surveys swans

posted 02/09/01
Over 17,000 trumpeter swans migrate from their summer breeding grounds in Alaska each year to winter in warmer climates from southern British Columbia to Oregon's Willamette Valley. Since 1993, The San Juan Preservation Trust and The Trumpeter Swan Society have worked in partnership to perform an annual survey of the swans that choose to spend the winter in the San Juan Islands.

The swan survey indicates a possible decline in the number of swans wintering in the San Juan's this year. Conducted by 60 volunteers and led by Trust member Cherill Perera, the survey extends from early November, when the swans begin to arrive, to the end of March, when the swans leave. The survey is performed primarily on San Juan, Lopez, Orcas, and Waldron islands, with periodic fly-over monitoring by volunteer pilots on other islands.

Each year, the survey includes a single-day count on January 15 on all surveyed islands. The single-day count attempts to avoid the statistical imperfections that can occur with the isolated daily counts that comprise the bulk of the survey. The daily counts suggested a decline in the number of swans at the end of December. The single-day count was consistent with the appearance of a decline in mid-season as it showed 41 swans in comparison to 82 swans on the same day last year.

Martha Jordan, Chair of the Washington Swan Working Group and board member of the Trumpeter Swan Society, applauded the work of the San Juan Islands survey volunteers. " Our association with The San Juan Preservation Trust and our corps of island volunteers is our oldest and most productive such association in Washington," said Jordan. " These annual surveys, and others like them across the state, provide important data to the U.S. and State fish and wildlife services."

Perera cautioned that the swan population fluctuates during the season and said that the single-day count may not indicate an actual decline in the winter population. " The warmer and drier weather we've had this winter may have caused some swans to leave early. Lower rainfall has lowered the levels of ponds, making it harder for our swans to forage and move about in the ponds as they like," Perera said. She said that our swan population has averaged 70 to 80 birds over the past several years and stressed that the survey results are most meaningful when viewed over time.

Trumpeter swans prefer open, grassy or farmland habitat with proximity to water. Among the sites enjoyed by the swans are several properties conserved by easements held by The San Juan Preservation Trust. One of the most popular locations is a 17-acre property on San Juan Island, on which a conservation easement was granted to the Trust in 1991 by the Percich family. Another area enjoyed by the swans is Martin Lake on Orcas, part of the Ayer conservation easement granted to the Trust in 1997.

Trumpeter swans are among the largest waterfowl, standing three to four feet tall, with wingspans of eight to nine feet. Weighing 25 to 30 pounds, trumpeter swans take flight from the water and require a " runway" of forty feet to lift off. According to Perera, " the sound of their enormous wings is very impressive."

For more information on trumpeter swans or to volunteer to help with the swan survey, call Cherill Perera at 360.468.3260.