Message:

[

Previous   Next

]

By Topic:

[

Previous   Next

]

Subject:

Re: Trumpeter Swan - Maybe Not

From:

Joel Martin

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Sun, 2 Jan 2005 20:08:49 EST

For what it's worth, I have to agree with Paul O'Brien on this. Like many 
others I watched the swan from the bridge as it slept in the woods about 1/2 mile 
away, but later, from a different vantage, found it swimming much closer, 
about 300 yards. When I got back to my truck I made some sketches of the head and 
bill. From the side it looked great for Trumpeter. But from the front, when 
it dipped its head, the edge between the top of the bill and the forehead was a 
definite broad U shape. My first thought was "Trumpling." I've never looked 
closely at a Trumpling -- do they have certain consistent characteristics?

Also, there are definitely 2 Eared Grebes. Both were in one scope view 
several times. Nice dark neck, peaked crown, dark cheek, white ear patch. They were 
at the mouth of the second cove east of the parking area at the bridge around 
12:30.

Joel Martin
Catonsville, MD