Tag Archives: tundra swan observations

The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Springtime Tundra Swan sighting at the Pungo Unit

I made a spur of the moment visit this morning to the Pungo Unit at the Pocosin Lakes NWR and was surprised to see 5 Tundra Swans feeding in the fields.
These guys should have migrated north last month so spotting this little flock was an unexpected sight.
I’ve never had an opportunity to photograph a Tundra Swan in the spring before. Normally it’s winter’s muted hues of grey and brown which color the background of my swan portraits so I was pleased to have a bit of that lovely green included in the landscape.



Tundra Swans are commonly seen here in southeastern North Carolina from November through early March in our coastal counties with peak numbers occurring in January.Look for them in open marshes, lakes, shallow ponds and estuaries in fresh and brackish waters. They are also easily found feeding in grain fields in agricultural areas too. It’s awe inspiring to see flocks of hundreds of Swans feeding in a corn field, wheat field or soybean patch.


Since the springtime migration window has passed for these swans I assume that they will remain at Pungo throughout the rest of the year.
Hopefully these magnificent birds with depart for their breeding grounds in the Colville River Delta region of north Alaska next spring.

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my mighty mirrorless monster, the @canonusa #R5

Field Notes

The Tundra Swans have returned to the OBX in eastern North Carolina

By Sally Siko

One of the things I look forward to the most year after year is the return of the large flocks of Tundra Swans in eastern NC.
Thousands of these majestic white birds are flying in to spend the winter months in the fields, lakes and impoundments of our coastal counties.



It’s quite a sight to stand on the shoreline of a lake and see so many of them all in one place. Yes they are indeed beautiful but gosh they are a noisy and rambunctious bunch lol!
Large groups of Tundra Swans may be best defined as thinly controlled chaos so it’s not uncommon to see scuffles like the one pictured here break out within the flock.
I photographed these two pairs brawling this past weekend and boy it was as entertaining to watch as any prize fight haha 🙂



When they’re not fighting each other, Tundra Swans nest in northern Alaska and in Canada’s Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northeastern Manitoba, northern Ontario, and northwestern Quebec.
Interestingly, these guys break off into 2 distinct groups of eastern and western migrating populations when traveling between breeding and wintering grounds.
Swans that nest east of Point Hope in northern Alaska winter on the Atlantic coast, while birds breeding from Point Hope south & west winter along the Pacific.
It seems odd to me for the birds in the Coleville River region of Alaska to make such a long trip east which spans across the entire United States when a straight shot flight south to California is quite a bit closer.
Whatever the reason, I’m glad they are here!

You can find these beauties in southeastern North Carolina from November through early March in with peak numbers occurring in January.
Look for them in open marshes, lakes, shallow ponds and estuaries in fresh and brackish waters. They are also easily spotted feeding in grain fields in our agricultural areas too.
So cool!

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my mighty mirrorless monster, the @canonusa #R5

Birdwatching News, Field Notes

Tundra Swans will soon be leaving North Carolina for their breeding grounds

With winter coming to an end, soon these Tundra Swans will leave North Carolina to head north to their breeding grounds.
I have to admit that although I’m looking forward to the spectacle that spring migration provides, I’m kinda bummed that winter is over.
I’m in no mood for hot temperatures and the return of insects lol!



I spotted quite a few Tundra Swans last week in eastern NC. While many of them appear to have left the Pea Island NWR, there were still thousands to be found in the fields of the Pocosin Lakes NWR.
It was really neat to see such a huge flock together all in one place.

Tundra Swans nest in northern Alaska and in Canada’s Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northeastern Manitoba, northern Ontario, and northwestern Quebec.
Interestingly, Tundra Swans break off into 2 distinct groups of eastern and western migrating populations when traveling between breeding and wintering grounds.



Swans that nest east of Point Hope in the Coleville River region northern Alaska winter on the Atlantic coast (including these beauties shown here), while birds breeding from Point Hope south & west winter along the Pacific.
It seems odd for the birds in the Coleville River region of AK make such a long trip east which spans the entire United States when a flight due south/west to California is quite a bit closer.
Whatever the reason, I’m glad they make the trip south to visit us!
Though I’m sad to see them go I’ll be eagerly waiting for their return later this year.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on my beloved 50MP beast, the @canonusa #5Ds

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina

Winter birding at the Pungo Unit: Tundra Swan Migration

One cannot write about a wintertime visit to the Pungo Unit at the Pocosin Lakes NWR in North Carolina without mentioning the vast numbers of Tundra Swans who spend the cooler months here.

During my birding trip last month, I was greeted by the sight of a huge flock of these large beautiful birds feeding in the wide open fields of the refuge.
It was neat to stand there listening to the swans calling out to one another on the cold December morning!

Arriving in N.C. in late autumn /early winter, Tundra swans, make their way to the the Pungo Unit of Pocosin Lakes NWR where the agricultural fields are filled with leftover grain which provides winter nourishment for the birds.
This crop management is the result of an agreement between the Wildlife Service and local farmers.

During the day, the swans move throughout the refuge flying from Pungo Lake to the farm fields in search of food.
In the the large shallow ponds created by flooded out fields, the birds graze on the submerged vegetation below the waters surface.
It’s in these fields that the birds are best observed up close vs. trying to view them paddling in the water over the vast expanse of Pungo Lake.
Aren’t they lovely?

Photos & video by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame @canonusa
#5Ds

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Tundra swan observations at Lake Mattamuskeet

By: Sally Siko- Admin Birdwatching NC

While birding at Lake Mattamuskeet in coastal North Carolina, I found a flock of Tundra Swans feeding on the water.
It’s an incredible experience to see so many of these large birds in one place!


If you’ve never seen a swan migration for yourself, I highly recommend that you visit this area to check it out.
The Tundra Swans will be here throughout the winter until February so there is still time to go!



I observed this pair for a little while before they decided to join the rest of their flock on a different area on the lake.
Watching them take off was quite a sight to see!
Despite their enormous wing spans, Tundra Swans are not quite strong enough to take off by flapping it’s wings alone.
It takes a lot of power to achieve the lift needed to get their 23 lb bodies into the air.


A running start on the surface of the water is required to gather enough momentum for them to take flight.
Flapping their wings, they’ll extend their necks straight out and race across the water like a sprinter in a 100 meter dash.
Their large webbed feet help propel them off the surface of the lake, leaving a path of water splashes behind them before they make the final push for lift off.
Amazing.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatchingnc
Canon 5Ds