Below is some information about neck banded Tundra Swans that observers should be on the lookout for. Please report sightings to:

Craig Ely                                          
Phone: (907) 786-7182                                


Thanks!

Tyler Bell

California, Maryland

TUNDRA SWANS WITH BLUE NECK BANDS FROM ALASKA 
                        
TUNDRA SWANS WERE MARKED IN WESTERN AND NORTHERN ALASKA IN THE SUMMERS OF 2006-2009 WITH CODED NECK BANDS AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TIMING OF MIGRATION AND MOVEMENTS OF SWANS RELATIVE TO BREEDING AREA. 
NECK BANDS HAVE A FOUR-DIGIT CODE THAT BEGINS WITH A LETTER.  CODES  ARE READ FROM BOTTOM TO TOP.  BANDS ARE BLUE WITH WHITE DIGITS, EXCEPT CODES T3##, WHICH ARE WHITE WITH BLACK DIGITS.  
______________________________________________________
                                                                                                                                   No. Collared 
Marking Location          Codes                  2006 - 2008   2009   Total
YukonDelta                K###                       227        100    327
Alaska Peninsula(North)   P###                       148        105    253 
Alaska Peninsula(South)   T4##                       155        ---    155
Koyukuk Drainage  T213-228, U075-U120, U390-U399      66        ---     66
North Slope               T201-212,T3##               58        ---     58
Kotzebue Sound            U###                       390        197    587
Totals                                              1045        402   1446
______________________________________________________               
In 2008, 50 swans were implanted with satellite transmitters, many of which are still functioning.  Birds with transmitters were not collared, but have a black antenna exiting near the base of the tail.  The movements of these swans can be followed at our web site: http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/avian_influenza/TUSW/index.html
 
PLEASE REPORT ANY OBSERVATIONS TO YOUR LOCAL CONSERVATION OFFICER, OR TO:
   
Craig Ely                                          
AlaskaScience Center                                
4210 University Drive                        
Anchorage, AK 99508                                
Phone: (907) 786-7182                                
                                                        
EM:                                        
 
WE WILL PROVIDE ALL OBSERVERS WITH A BRIEF
HISTORY OF THE BANDED SWAN THEY OBSERVED.