On a spectacular early October evening on our way to meet friends for dinner, we decided to drive by Stanley Lake overlook to see if there were any migrating birds to view.  Much to our delight, there was a single line of 82 tundra swans about 20 feet from the edge of the far shore!  They paralleled the shore line, and we wondered if there was a distinct line of warmer water they’d found to settle into.  They all faced north and were honking amongst themselves just loud enough for us to hear across the lake.  We were so excited that we went to get our friends to see them, too.  As we arrived for the second viewing, all 82 were still in place, still single file, still honking on the far shore, but now they all were facing south!

We’ve observed these large, creamy birds in the Stanley area for several years, but they stay only about 48 hours, and always in October or November.  They, apparently, are on their way south or to the Pacific Coast from the northern tundra of Canada and Alaska.

–Ann Hill, SIHA member