Hi Birders.
On Saturday a light movement of swans became a tide
in the late evening and overnight in North Lambton County.
We had been able to find about 2,000 Swans in the general area on
Thursday and Friday, but overnight and all day today they have been pouring
in. There were around 7,500 around by late afternoon with more arriving.
The peak number a few years ago was 22,000. Actually counted!
The usual area behind the Lambton County Museum on Greenway Rd. is
relatively deserted because there was no grain planted last year and no
water this year, having only a few hundred birds today. However, if one
stops at the bridge over the Ausable River on Greenway Rd. swans can be
seen flying into an inaccessible (Believe me) wet area about 3Kms. from the
road looking S.
Another easily accessible area to see swans closely is down Townsend's
Line that runs from Forest to the lakeshore, past the Canadian Tire
Store. There were 198 there after 3pm. and another 75 flew in before I
left. The sky was covered with thin cloud and not very good for photos.
For the BEST photographs, early morning with clear blue skies and
strong sun is needed. White swans against a cloudy sky leave something to
be desired in a photo. Also, swans on ice are pretty but do not result in
generally admired photos.
If you are close to swans, stay in your car. Two things will
happen. First they will move or fly. Secondly they will remember and those
swans affected will not forage in that area again! They live a long time too!
To get to the Museum area from London take a route through Parkhill
and past the Dam towards Grand Bend. Greenway Rd. is on the left on a sharp
Rt. curve.
Forest is on Highway 21. Look for Tim Horton's at the traffic lights
and turn West and continue past Canadian Tire on Townsend's Line. The
Swans were close to a farm building.
All those that were primed for 'The Return Of The Swans' have
expressed some dismay that this year the Return has been so delayed that in
some years the birds have virtually all gone by this time.
So much for local 'Global Warming'
Good Birding.
Alf.
