TTSS WORKS TO ENHANCE TRUMPETER SWAN CONSERVATION IN OREGON

(adapted from Trumpetings, July 2009)

After a near-decade hiatus, TTSS is pleased to announce that Trumpeter Swan releases have resumed in Oregon, as part of Oregon's Trumpeter Swan Restoration Project. We are most grateful to the Felburn Foundation for their generous support of this project. TTSS, in partnership with Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Malheur NWR, the Wyoming Wetland Society and others, hopes the number of nesting Trumpeters will increase in wetlands east of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington. The release at Summer Lake Wildlife Area was designed to help swans learn to winter in south-central Oregon. To achieve this goal, four yearling Trumpeter Swans raised by the Wyoming Wetland Society were released by ODFW staff on June 20, 2009, at Rest Lake on Summer Lake WA. Swans were previously released there in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Two family groups were observed there this past winter.

A long history of Trumpeter Swan releases in Oregon began back in the late 1930's, when the Trumpeters from Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Montana were transported to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon. While winter waterfowl habitat is limited at Malheur NWR, Summer Lake WA and surrounding areas have better winter habitat for Trumpeters, with open water and adequate aquatic vegetation.