Dear Christina While Mute Swans are indeed spectacular birds and it is not their fault that they are here, they are nevertheless an invasive, non-native species and detrimental to native wildlife. A quick Google search will find many examples of problems caused to native avifauna and habitat, for example from Michigan-
Mute swans are one of the world's most aggressive waterfowl species, especially during nesting and brood-rearing. Mute swans exhibit aggression toward other waterfowl and can displace native waterfowl from their nesting and feeding areas by attacking, injuring and even killing other birds. In Michigan, of particular concern are native breeding waterfowl and water birds such as trumpeter swans (state threatened), Canada geese, ducks, common loons (state threatened), and black terns (state special concern). The trumpeter swan is native to Michigan, and is on our state's threatened species list. It has been on the road to recovery; however, the increasing presence of the invasive mute swan is threatening the breeding success of this native bird. To ensure the protection of the trumpeter swan, the mute swan population must be drastically reduced. Mute swan displacement and aggression toward native wildlife occurs frequently throughout North America. For example, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reported that three pairs of captive mute swans killed at least 50 ducks and geese in a zoo. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has reported records of mute swans killing mallard ducklings, Canada goose goslings and cygnets of other mute swans. Not just waterfowl species are at risk. For example, a large molting flock of Maryland mute swans caused a colony of least terns and black skimmers to abandon their nesting colony by trampling nests containing eggs and chicks. These swans also displaced nesting Forster's and common terns. Respectfully, Paul Sweet Paul Sweet Collection Manager Department of Ornithology American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212 769 5780 Cell: 718 757 5941 From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Christina Wilkinson Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2014 3:29 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [nysbirds-l] DEC's Mute Swan management plan http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7076.html First they killed geese, then owls, now they want to do it to swans. When will this ever end? Christina -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics<http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> Rules and Information<http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave<http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> Archives: The Mail Archive<http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html> Surfbirds<http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> BirdingOnThe.Net<http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html> Please submit your observations to eBird<http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>! -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
