[CT Birds] Tundra Swan event

[Greg Hanisek]

This flurry of Tundra Swan sightings is a very interesting event for CT. I've heard of one other report of a few birds on the move in addition to those posted to the list, so this is definitely a major passage relative to this species' history in the state. It will be interesting to see if there are more to come.

For those who have started birding here fairly recently, it's worth noting that Tundra Swan is rare in the state because its main migratory route, from Arctic nesting grounds (mainly west of Hudson Bay) to their major wintering areas in Delmarva and North Carolina, passes west of southern New England. It's possible that the recent predominance of westerly winds has had some birds tracking a bit east of their normal trajectory.

It's also very typical for these swans to drop in for a short stay, often in agricultural fields, before resuming their northbound flight. 

Greg Hanisek