I always say “when the bears go to bed,the Trumpeters arrive”! They tag team. They are flying down from the Yukon. I took pictures when one of them had a neck ID tag on. (K-18) I sent the shot and location to the National Registry for Trumpeter swans.
The researchers thanked me and in return told me their story. (K-18 and K-19) They both had been caught and tagged in Taye lake in the Yukon. They crimped a metal ring onto their left ankle and also slipped a plastic neck sock on. This plastic neck sock has the ID number on it and is designed to decay and fall off. It doesn’t restrict their swallowing.
I copied this from a Jan 2013 (January 23rd,2013) Received some info about K19 from Jim Hawkings with the Canadian Wildlife Service out of Whitehorse. This is what he had to say about K19…………….”Not sure if anyone else (Ruth??) has tracked this down yet, but this is one of the birds captured in Yukon Territory, summer 2003 during the captures for the satellite telemetry study spearheaded by Ruth Shea and Rod Drewien. The bird was captured on 22 July 2003 at Taye Lake, 37 miles NW of Whitehorse (band # 1939-01708). It was not marked with a satellite transmitter. This is the first recovery I know of from this bird, but Ruth (or other folks in Southern BC) may have other sightings that never made their way to the banding lab’s recovery database. The other banded bird in the group was likely K19’s mate, formerly marked with neckband K18.
Only two have arrived so far with 8 being the size of this wedge (air) and bevy (water). I always look forward to seeing them. They are notorious for being skittish! They prefer to winter over in deep quiet fiord like inlets.
They are the largest bird (by weight) in North America.
Tofino Photography 
Wayne, how long do these birds live? The one you photographed would be almost 20 years old! I know some birds live a very long time. Great photos, but the information leaves a lasting impression!
2013,not 2003 Marsha. This was 9 years ago
Oh I must have misread it. That’s still a long time.
yes,somewhere between 12 to 20 years?
Google tells me 12 to 16 years as a lifespan in the wild. 35years for one in a centre.
yes,that life span varies in the wild of course. I found a dead one on shore once. Not much left. Must have been a Cougar?
That’s fabulous! Thanks for the info!
How magnificent! Wonderful captures Wayne.
I always enjoy hearing the details of a bird when their I.D. is sent in to the registry. Thanks for that.
Hi Wayne, 2003 – that is a long time ago. I didn’t know birds lived that long. These are very beautiful and graceful. I have managed to write three wildlife poems this week after 2 months of nothing, so I am very happy.
your the second person to say twenty years Robbie. I said 2013 not 2003. This was 9 years ago.
I must have misread it. 9 years is still quite long ands it’s great these birds could be tracked for that period.
yes,It is great they can track these large birds. I hope the family unit survives unscathed this winter. They lost one last winter to a unknown predator.
Sad to hear, but that is the natural way.
Another person pointed that out as well Robbie. Hawkins did the initial capture back in 03. Once the parent birds have died the family unit continues to grow. With no tags anymore I do not know who’s who?
That is because you posted that Jim Hawkins from the Wildlife Bird Sanctuary said that this bird was tagged in 2003. Fascinating.
good point,I was taking it from when I first photographed them
They are such graceful birds, especially considering their size. Beautiful photos, Wayne.
thank you Lynette!
I always measure the seasons by arrivals and departures of our wildlife. Great when ring details send a detailed reply to detail sent to them Wayne.
I can never get that close to them to capture any ring data. The neck tag is only around for months I suspect?
The code is the unique arrangement of rings to identify the bird so on our waders . We have a local mute Swan with a orange 48 number on it which pops up from time to time.
Most interesting!
The Trumpeters look so graceful in flight.
they are Liz! Such grace!
Wow! What a wonderful gift for Thanksgiving!
speaking of which, they were used by visiting maritimers as a substitute for turkeys
I know the Pilgrims ate swan, but I can’t imagine putting that on my table.
we do not have any wild Turkeys on the coast,so the Trumpeter swan was the chosen one
Love these gorgeous birds, Wayne. They are long lived as bigger birds seem to be.
thank you Terri.I also like their calls
Such magnificent creatures. You must have been very excited when they arrived!
Oh I always am Jennie! Next time I go there I’m sure everybody else will have arrived!
Looking forward to the photos!
I’m glad to see our Trumpeter pals have returned and hopefully we’ll see more photos of them. I remember when you got the info on this family of Trumpeters. I didn’t realize that the plastic neck sock is designed to decay and fall off. You’ll recall I took the photos of the Mute Swan pair at the Creek and the female had the neck ring … it was amazing that it slid up and down her long neck with each sip of water she took or if she dabbled. I was sure it was constricting at first glance. I should Google my swan and see if there are any dates on her.
Great fun to see the Trumpeters have arrived, Wayne, and wonderful info about these two individuals. Fascinating how long-lived and successful they have been.
So they have a pretty long lifespan- that’s interesting. Wonderful photos, Wayne!
they seem to have a life span almost as long as a eagle (20 years)/
Thanks Jacquie!
They are beautiful birds and not as aggressive as the mute swans. They can be seen in Ontario all year round. And very close to the shore. I love to see them especially in the spring time when they make the shape of a heart.
I’ve found city swans to be far more approachable. I cannot get any closer than a kilometer before they take off.
Wow, that’s too bad. They can sometimes get in our way. And we have to make our way around them. At least they don’t hiss at us like the mute swans will.