I was driving to pick up a pizza, which took me past a small pond on the Stratford/Shelton line (actually in Stratford), when I noticed two non-Mute swans. I figured they were Tundras, based only on location. I quickly called a few people, and we agreed that these two swans were indeed Trumpeter swans.
No tags or bands were seen to indicate they are escapees, but like I said on CTbirds... that is not my field.
Frank Mantlik has some better shots, but here are two out of the bunch I took. We noted the red gape, long and straight bill, black legs, and overall huge-ness.
(click on photos for larger version)
-Brian-
Hi Brian - cool pics. I had a couple of untagged Trumpeters a couple of years back with one of the hacked tagged birds over in NY State at Croton Point. Always wondered if or at what point in the re-introduction program they become countable. Luckily I also have the real deal from Wyoming and Montana - overall huge-ness is a very apt description ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Luke.
ReplyDeleteLikewise.... I got my lifer in Alaska!
-Brian-
Brian,
ReplyDeleteNice going! You were very alert on that spot. I probably would have assumed that they were Mute Swans and driven by without taking a second look.
By the way, that is a very nice photo of a Prairie Warbler on your blog's header.
Charlie
Thanks, Charlie.
ReplyDeleteThat photo is one of the breeders at Bent of the River in Southbury. Very hard NOT to see one there in summer.
-Brian-
Thanks for finding them! I went over at lunch today and got a couple of soggy pictures.
ReplyDelete