2025 TTSS News Archive

WEBINAR: Wetlands are an important ecosystem that provide habitat for plants and animals, but have multiple benefits to humans as well. In this webinar, you will learn:
• How to know if you’re looking at a wetland
• The different kinds of wetlands you may see or have in your area
• Wetland functions and benefits
• The current status of wetlands (losses, threats and protection)
· And, finally, how you can help.

WISCONSIN: "Almost every spring, swans break their northward migration with a stop in Northeast Wisconsin.

That time of year has arrived, despite the near-freezing temperatures that make spring seem distant. But on Monday, thousands of swans descended into Shiocton, signifying spring may not be far off."

ALASKA: You can watch the Trumpeter Swan Society film, Return of the Trumpeters, at this festival. "Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in conjunction with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game celebrates the arrival of spring as migratory species return to Interior Alaska. Late April is an ideal time to view trumpeter swans, Canada geese, white-fronted geese and different duck species.

Activities include guided nature walks, bird watching, wildlife viewing, falconry demonstrations and crafts for kids. You can also visit the Farmhouse Visitor Center in the Creamer family farmhouse, established in the early 1800s, which showcases exhibits on migratory birds and its dairy farm history.

The free event welcomes all ages – just dress appropriately and wear boots!" Click for the festival link

IDAHO: "It is amazing what a few days of warm weather can bring into southeastern Idaho, by softening the snow and exposing grains, rotten potatoes and seed-producing plants left for migrating birds.

Deer Parks Wildlife Management Area west of the Menan Buttes has become a very busy place this past week with hundreds of trumpeter swans, Canada geese, and ducks showing up to feed. In a harvested corn field across from Ririe High School, hundreds of trumpeters and Canadas have also found enough leftover corn to draw them to that field." Read more...

WEBINAR: Other waterfowl can be found with Trumpeter Swans? If you don't know what species they are, this webinar will provide a preliminary guide to identifying the most common duck and goose species you may see, whether you live in the east, midwest or west.

IOWA: "Swans mate for life, and they perform an elaborate courtship dance to cement their bond. They typically breed during the spring or summer, with some species traveling to the Arctic in flocks to do so. They build huge nests at the edge of the water, where a female swan lays between three and eight eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs. When hatched, cygnets stay with their parents for several months before joining a flock." Read More...

MINNESOTA: Watch this interview and see and learn about Minnesota's swan restoration program. Listen to special heartwarming stories of swan love which Carrol Henderson witnessed as he worked as MN DNR's Nongame Wildlife Program director

UTAH: "SALT LAKE CITY — As warmer weather approaches, migrating swans will pass through Utah as they journey north. If you’d like to see them, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recommends three prime viewing spots near Great Salt Lake. Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area." Read and see more...

MINNESOTA: The Mississippi River near Monticello, the Otter Tail River in Fergus Falls, and the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the Twin Cities rank among popular viewing areas, but they may be sighted on any generous stretch of open water statewide. Apps such as eBird and iNaturalist track recent swan sightings.

ARKANSAS: When Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis visited Magness Lake this weekend, he saw plenty of swans, more than a few ring-neck ducks and even a few seagulls paddling about in the water. As he stood among a few other birders, he captured the haunting sound of the winter visitors.

PENNSYLVANIA: A rare and exciting bird visitor has excited residents in Pennsylvania. Read more...

In February 2023, a dozen swans were captured and received GPS collars at Oregon’s Summer Lake Wildlife Area and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Biologists wanted to know where these swans spend the summer, their migration routes in spring and fall, and if they raised families.

This webinar highlights how and where the swans were captured and collared. Then we explore some of the results, teaching you how to use GoogleEarth and the GPS data to discover:
• How to see the wetlands where the swans were captured and collared- from a bird’s eye view to a landscape street view.
• How to do simple calculations like a biologist to determine flight speed, temperatures, distances and altitude.

WISCONSIN: “Yesterday we had an unusual request for assistance. Members of the public witnessed a swan that was frozen to the ice on the St. Croix River. The local conservation warden was unavailable, and not wanting citizens to try and perform a rescue themselves, Hudson Fire sent a crew to help out. We were successful in bringing the swan to shore to receive care from citizens. This is not something we would normally do, but risk the vs reward in preventing someone from the public falling through the ice was worth it. Remember, ice is never completely safe, especially in the river where the currents are always moving.”