>Yesterday, Marion Mudd and I had a chance to study the two immature swans 
>at Lakeside Business Drive through the telescope as they fed calmly 30-40 
>yards from us in good light.   There were no other swans present to 
>provide size comparisons, but the ones in question seemed larger with 
>proportionally longer bills than those on Tundras.  They were darker 
>brownish gray than might be expected on juvenile Tundras in early 
>February.  In both,  the forehead where it met the bill formed  a V-shape 
>pointing down onto the bill, and, also on both, the area of the black at 
>the base of the bill encompassed the eye rather than leaving it 
>isolated.  The latter two features are clearly seen in photographs 1-4 
>posted by Dave Ziolkowski (see below) and each are characteristic of 
>Trumpeters rather than Tundas ( see Sibley Guide to Birds, 2000, p. 73 for 
>the former; and Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding, Vol 1, 1983, p 
>140 for the latter).  On the basis of all these features our opinion is 
>that the identification as juvenile coming into first summer 
>plumageTrumpeters is adequately establishd and use of "probable" or 
>"possible" Trumpeters is no linger necessary.  As I understand the 
>situation, Thumpeter Swans are not officially on the Maryland list except 
>as extirpated. The MDDCRC has a number of Trumpeter sighting reports to 
>review, but the question of origin has held up decisions.  No wing bands 
>were seen on the two being discussed, but the question of origin may still 
>not be definitively decided although some of the populations established 
>through reintroduction programs  in Ontario or elsewhere are said to be 
>breeding in the wild and producing increasing numbers of offspring.
>
>Harvey Mudd
>
>  At 11:18 AM 2/9/2009, you wrote:
>>Hi everyone,
>>
>>I am posting this for Dave Ziolkowski who was not able to
>>post this yesterday.
>>
>>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>>
>>Dave Larkin discovered two first-winter Trumpeter Swans
>>today (Sunday) at the Lakeside Business Park in Edgewood,
>>Harford County.  Dave visits the location every Sunday
>>so it's evident that the birds arrived sometime between
>>last Sunday and today.  The birds remained throughout
>>the day and I visited in the (very windy) afternoon to
>>take some (shaky) photos and notes.  These can be seen at:
>><http://djziolkowski.googlepages.com/lakeside-trumpeter-swan>
>>
>>Identifying first winter swans is soupy stuff (even
>>with many great web and print resources out there) so,
>>although the weight of evidence appears in favor of
>>Trumpeters here, I welcome well informed comments offline.
>>
>>To reach the location from I-95, take the Rt. 24
>>exit (#77) heading towards Edgewood (i.e., towards the bay).
>>At the first light turn right onto Edgewood Rd. and
>>follow this ~0.5 mile before turning right onto Lakeside
>>Blvd.
>>
>>Cheers,
>>
>>Dave
>>
>>----------------------------
>>Dave Ziolkowski Jr.
>>USGS PWRC, Laurel
>>dziolkowski at usgs dot gov
>
>
>
>____________________________________
>
>S. Harvey Mudd
>NIMH/DIRP/LMB
>Building 35, Room 1B1006
>35 Lincoln Dr.
>BETHESDA MD 20892
>tel: 301-496-0681;  fax 301-402-0245
>email: 



____________________________________

S. Harvey Mudd
NIMH/DIRP/LMB
Building 35, Room 1B1006
35 Lincoln Dr.
BETHESDA MD 20892
tel: 301-496-0681;  fax 301-402-0245
email: