Re: [nysbirds-l] Trumpeter Swan- Yes
Anyone coming east to look for this bird would do well to check first whether the Shirley gas leak has been taken care of. Travel through the area today was quite difficult, what with the closure of Sunrise Highway between exits 57 and 59 and many of the surrounding routes. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Trumpeter Swan- Yes
First, health, happiness and good birding in 2011 ! Second, I saw the above at the same spot it was last reported from (the w/s of the s/end of Agawam Lake, Southampton, Suffolk, Co.) from about 3-3:30 PM, on Fri. 12/31/10. It's interaction with a family of 6 Mute Swans (2 adults & 4 fully sized, white & gray/brown juveniles) was quite surprising. At first the trumpeter stayed by itself, approx. 50' from the mutes, while it continuously "bobbed" it's neck, in what I took to be nuptial behavior. As I was scoping the bird, trying to read the #'s on it's wing tag, it began to beat it's wings and started to run away from the hard charging mute cob. Neither bird took flight, and after a short distance, both birds stopped running on the ice, but kept their distance. After a few minutes, the triumphant mute waddled back to it's family- this "reverse aggression" was the first surprise ! I now have witnessed 3 confrontations between these 2 species, with the trumpeter prevailing in the first 2 ! The 2nd surprise came when the trumpeter started moving toward the mute clan, stopping every 6, or so, steps, to gauge their reaction to his bold move...all the while continuing to do his(?) neck "bobs". The trumpeter made it all the way to about 3' of a resting juvenile, who after about 30 seconds, arose and just stood there. Another moment or two went bye before the mute cob stood up, and slowly started walking toward the "outsider", but not with his wings spread upwards, as in his earlier attack. Seeing this, the young mute started to advance toward the trumpeter also. Sizing this pincer movement up, the trumpeter turned, and began heading slowly for it's own section of the ice. Although both species looked to be about the same size overall, both mute bodies appeared to be heavier than the trumpeter's. In addition to having a yellow tag on each wing, the trumpeter had a silver metal band on one leg, between it's knee & ankle...but, I'm quite ashamed to admit not remembering which one ! Not one, but 2 "senior moments"- not taking notes, as well as relying on my memory! Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Trumpeter Swan- Yes
First, health, happiness and good birding in 2011 ! Second, I saw the above at the same spot it was last reported from (the w/s of the s/end of Agawam Lake, Southampton, Suffolk, Co.) from about 3-3:30 PM, on Fri. 12/31/10. It's interaction with a family of 6 Mute Swans (2 adults 4 fully sized, white gray/brown juveniles) was quite surprising. At first the trumpeter stayed by itself, approx. 50' from the mutes, while it continuously bobbed it's neck, in what I took to be nuptial behavior. As I was scoping the bird, trying to read the #'s on it's wing tag, it began to beat it's wings and started to run away from the hard charging mute cob. Neither bird took flight, and after a short distance, both birds stopped running on the ice, but kept their distance. After a few minutes, the triumphant mute waddled back to it's family- this reverse aggression was the first surprise ! I now have witnessed 3 confrontations between these 2 species, with the trumpeter prevailing in the first 2 ! The 2nd surprise came when the trumpeter started moving toward the mute clan, stopping every 6, or so, steps, to gauge their reaction to his bold move...all the while continuing to do his(?) neck bobs. The trumpeter made it all the way to about 3' of a resting juvenile, who after about 30 seconds, arose and just stood there. Another moment or two went bye before the mute cob stood up, and slowly started walking toward the outsider, but not with his wings spread upwards, as in his earlier attack. Seeing this, the young mute started to advance toward the trumpeter also. Sizing this pincer movement up, the trumpeter turned, and began heading slowly for it's own section of the ice. Although both species looked to be about the same size overall, both mute bodies appeared to be heavier than the trumpeter's. In addition to having a yellow tag on each wing, the trumpeter had a silver metal band on one leg, between it's knee ankle...but, I'm quite ashamed to admit not remembering which one ! Not one, but 2 senior moments- not taking notes, as well as relying on my memory! Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Trumpeter Swan- Yes
Anyone coming east to look for this bird would do well to check first whether the Shirley gas leak has been taken care of. Travel through the area today was quite difficult, what with the closure of Sunrise Highway between exits 57 and 59 and many of the surrounding routes. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
