Re: [MDOsprey] Bewick's Swan
Phil Davis (PDavis@ix.netcom.com)
Sun, 28 Nov 1999 17:26:48 -0500
Charlie, et al. -
I just went down to Arundel on the Bay to look for this bird, but
dipped. Only Mute Swans around--no Tundras.
Bewick's Swan is a reviewable form (i.e., "subspecies") in Maryland. If
anyone does run across this bird or another one like it, please take notes
or photos and let us know. Pay close attention to the amount and shape of
the yellow on the bill--a sketch would be great. A comparison of the
bird's size to Tundra's would be most helpful, too (it's slightly
smaller). There are a few more subtle field marks, like more rounded head,
etc. ... but these are tough!
Some consider Bewick's Swan to be a separate species but generally is
considered to be conspecific with the Whistling Swan to form the
"superspecies", Tundra Swan. There are some indications that the two are
each more closely related to other swans than to each other ... this could
<possibly> support a split at some time in the future [?].
Maryland has had only two reports of Bewick.s ... one was not accepted
(1982, West Ocean City) and the other is currently in circulation (1971,
Claiborne, Talbot County).
If the person sees it again, could you spread the word.
Thanks.
Phil
At 09:26 AM 11/27/1999 -0800, you wrote:
>Hi folks,
>
>Just got a call at the sanctuary by someone from
>Oregon who believes he saw a Bewick's Swan, which
>I understand to be the European race of the
>Tundra (please correct me privately if I'm wrong)
>
>He says he's familiar with both this bird and the
>Whooper, and that it definitely isn't the latter
>(darn).
>
>Thought I'd share this with you in case anyone
>wanted to see it. I don't really know the
>significance of it myself.
>
>Location: from Annapolis, follow
>Arundel-on-the-Bay road to the end, where it
>turns into Cohassett Road. Follow to end to the
>water. The bird was in with several Tundras.
>
>Good birding.
>
>Charlie Muise
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Phil Davis, Secretary
MD/DC Records Committee
home: PDavis@ix.netcom.com Davidsonville, Maryland USA
work: PDavis@OAO.com Greenbelt, Maryland USA
MD/DCRC Web site: http://www.MDBirds.org
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