Swan Surveillance and Research

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Report Tundra Swan sightings to cely@usgs.gov

Tundra Swans with blue neck bands from Alaska

Tundra Swans were marked in Western and Northern Alaska in the summers of 2006-2010 with coded neck bands as part of an effort to learn more about the timing of migration and movements relative to breeding area.

Neck bands have a four-digit code that begins with a letter, and are read from bottom to top. Bands are blue with white digits, except codes T3##, which are white with black digits.

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.php

PLEASE REPORT ANY OBSERVATIONS TO YOUR LOCAL CONSERVATION OFFICER, OR  TO:

Craig Ely
Alaska Science Center
4210 University Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-7182
email: cely@usgs.gov

WE WILL PROVIDE ALL OBSERVERS WITH A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BANDED SWAN THEY OBSERVED.
Visit our website @ http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/index.php