TUNDRA SWANS
(Cygnus columbianus)

Spring Visitors to Southern Ontario

Tundra Swans are the most widespread and numerous species of swan in North America and there are two distinct populations of these birds. One is the the Eastern population and the other, the Western population.

It is the Eastern Population only that travels through Southern Ontario, as they make their Spring migration between their Atlantic coast wintering areas and arctic coastline breeding grounds.

These birds spend their winters in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA, and up to 60,000 of them fly through this area in spring.

The Tundra Swan (formerly named the Whistling Swan) is identifiable by its black beak and has a small patch of yellow close to the eye.

Mute Swans have an orange and black beak, and the Trumpeter Swan has a completely black beak.

The female Swan is known as a "Cob" and the male is known as a "Pen" and it is said that these birds mate for life.

The Tundra Swan is the smallest of the three species.

It is impossible to predict with certainty, the exact time of the beginning and the peak of the migration, however in my experience the swans are seen in this area from mid to late March and for about three weeks afterwards.

The timing of the migration depends, I suspect, upon the weather conditions.

It is possible to observe many other birds, both migratory and non-migratory species at the Aylmer Viewing Area and I have seen Canada Geese , Mergansers, Teals, Mallard, Wood Ducks and many other water fowl.

There are always the more common birds too, such as Robins - which have also just arrived back in this area from wintering in the south and which have arrived here just ahead of the swans.

The Swans stop over at several staging areas around Southern Ontario and can be observed by the public in these places.

* Long Point

* Wildlife Management Area - Aylmer

* Rondeau Provincial Park

* South of Grand Bend in the fields between the Lambton Museum and Northville

This mass migration takes about three to four weeks for all the birds to pass through and is a spectacular sight to see.

The Aylmer Wildlife Management area has bathrooms and a large parking area, and it is also possible to observe the birds from the "Hide" shown below.

In this picture most of the birds have arrived at the wetlands where they will stay for between a couple of days and two weeks before they leave to complete the remainder of their journey

The Wildlife Management Area is located beside the Ontario Police College on Hacienda Rd, Aylmer and has 25 acres of wetland habitat.

From Highway 401 follow Elgin Rd south towards Aylmer and watch for College Line on your left where you will turn east.

At Hacienda Rd turn right and watch for the Swan signs on your left at 10594 Hacienda Road.

Links to The Tundra Swan

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