Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans In Washago Ontario

 

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Growing up, our family cottage was on Lake Couchiching, and each summer my sisters and I looked forward to our dad’s famous “nature cruises.” This was where Dad would take us in a 16’ aluminum boat along a marshy, uninhabited section of shoreline, and we would search for turtles, birds, and whatever wildlife we could see. The water was shallow, and we often had to paddle or propel the boat along by pushing off the bottom with a long pole. Dad would share his knowledge of nature, and it was a great learning experience and family outing.

 

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As teenagers, a nature cruise seemed like the only thing we could agree on when one of us kids asked our dad, “What are we going to do today, Mr. Fun?” Now, as an adult returning to that same stretch of shoreline by myself in my pack boat for a nature cruise is something I still love to do.

 

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Each summer, I have been fortunate to see and photograph a few pairs of trumpeter swans and their cygnets on Lake Couchiching while paddling the marshy bays and the area known as “The Narrows” between Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching. In fact, all of the trumpeter swan images featured in my book Waterbirds and More I took here.

 

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Over the years, one species that has appeared on the lake is the trumpeter swan, the largest species of waterfowl found in North America. Due to overhunting more than 200 years ago, the trumpeter swan was extirpated from Ontario, with the last recorded wild swan shot in 1886. Back in 1982, Ministry of Natural Resources biologist Harry Lumsden had a vision to restore the trumpeter swan population to its pre-colonial range. Now, known as Trumpeter Swan Conservation Ontario, a self-sustaining and expanding population has been achieved.

 

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I’ve heard of large numbers of trumpeter swans overwintering or stopping over at the north end of Lake Couchiching at Centennial Park in the town of Washago. It is here that the Severn River flows out of Lake Couchiching, and the current often creates enough movement for open water to occur, attracting the swans and other waterfowl. I’ve visited a few times in the past during the winter months, but have never seen much open water or waterfowl. After watching eBird closely, I saw several hundred trumpeter swans reported and decided to plan a day trip.

 

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With plenty of sunshine in the forecast, I decided to make the 1-hour drive to see the swans. The image in my head of beautiful blue skies, water, and white swans had me itching to hit the road. My only concern was that, since the last eBird report, we had entered a major cold snap with nighttime lows around -30 C, and I wondered whether there would be any open water or swans remaining.

 

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As I was about to exit Highway 11 into the town of Washago, I noticed an adult bald eagle soaring high above heading in the direction of Centennial Park. I was hopeful this was a sign of good things to come.

 

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As I made my way into the park, I could see a large expanse of open water filled with hundreds of trumpeter swans and smaller ducks. A juvenile bald eagle took off from a tree at the water’s edge. A smile came across my face, and I said to myself, “Today is going to be a great day!”

 

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Many of the swans and ducks were right next to the boat ramp and dock, including the best looks I’ve ever had of common goldeneye. For those of you not familiar with Lake Couchiching, the water is gin-clear, so being able to watch these diving ducks swim underwater and resurface with beaks full of snails and mollusks right at my feet was incredible.

 

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There were so many swans present that isolating individual birds for photos was a real challenge. Adult and full-sized cygnets swam together as families while small flocks of swans continued to fly in

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As I enjoyed the sights and sounds, two cars pulled up, and four people got out. The one young woman grabbed two pails of corn from the van and approached the water’s edge. I noticed she was wearing a blue jacket that said Swan Bander on it. I asked whether she was here to feed the birds or to band them. She replied, “Band them, we got four yesterday.” I saw no net or other way of capturing these huge birds, so I asked the other woman, “How do you catch them?” She replied, “By hand, just watch, she’s really patient.”

 

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I stood back and watched as the first woman dropped pieces of whole corn at her feet and into the shallow water at the shoreline. Slowly, the swans came closer to eat the corn, and when the closest swan’s neck was outstretched enough, the woman quickly grabbed the bird by the neck, lifted it, and got its wings under control. The team quickly placed the swan in a hammock-like bag and began their research. The Trumpeter Swan Conservation Ontario team collected data, including the bird’s weight, a lead test, and other information pertinent to their research, before the bird was outfitted with a yellow wing tag and released.

 

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In total, I saw the team capture, tag, and release four trumpeter swans in my time there. Watching a woman catch a bird whose average weight is 15-30 pounds with an average wing span of 8 feet by hand was truly impressive!

 

As it was getting late in the day and I had captured thousands of images, I decided to head home. I grabbed a coffee at the Tim Hortons in Rama before jumping back on Highway 11 north.  

 

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Centennial Park is less than 5 minutes off Highway 11 and truly beautiful. It is an eBird Hotspot, so you can see what has been reported before you stop. The park, complete with an off-leash dog area and washrooms (perhaps seasonal), is a perfect place to break up a long drive by getting out to stretch and enjoy nature. If you forgot any items for your trip, Washago has many amenities, including an LCBO, Home Hardware, and Canoe Fresh Food Market for all your grocery needs.  

 

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Next time you’re travelling Highway 11 and need a break, I recommend stopping at Centennial Park in Washago.  

 

Good birding,
Paul