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Fauna Series No. 2
Part II
Fauna of the National Parks
of the United States
PART II
REPORT CONCERNING TRUMPETER SWANS IN
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Submitted to the Director of the National Park Service May 2, 1934
There is no record of the abundance of breeding swans within the Yellowstone Park area in the early historical accounts, though we do know that trumpeter swans were once abundant in this general region of the United States and that many swan skins were taken at Red Rock Lake. Early superintendents' reports have mentioned the presence of swans in the park. Reports of witnesses indicate that trumpeter swans continuously have occupied Red Rock Lakes near Yellowstone, but we have not been able to ascertain whether there was a period of interruption when the birds did not breed in the park at all, or whether they simply became so scarce as to be generally overlooked. The latter is probably the case.
It is a fact that in recent years there has been an increase in the number of trumpeter swans breeding in the park. To a degree this increase may be more apparent than real, inasmuch as more attention has been focused on the swans than before and, nesting stations recently reported may have been previously overlooked.
Prior to 1929 a pair of trumpeter swans had been known to make unsuccessful nesting attempts at Trumpeter Lake in the Lamar Valley. Swans with a family of young also had been reported from Bridger Lake and the pond near Lewis Lake.
The Wildlife Survey began an investigation of the trumpeter swans in 1929 which was carried on without interruption by the Wildlife Division. In September 1929 Mr. Dixon observed a pair of swans at Trumpeter Lake and also photographed a pair on Alum Creek. In 1930 the survey party made studies at the Trumpeter Lake, Tern Lake, and Jackson Lake Lily Pond breeding stations. * * *
Since that date censuses have been taken annually and submitted to you.
Please note that no proper comparisons can he made between the censuses in this period. In the first place certain important nesting stations were not discovered by us in 1931. Red Rock Lakes, for instance, account for approximately half of the total number observed, and are included only in 1932 and 1933. It is practically impossible to secure a true census either on foot or by horseback, and that is why an airplane survey has been recommended for 1934.
To indicate what manner of program is projected for the perpetuation and increase of the trumpeter swans, I quote here a letter addressed to Superintendent Toll on May 1, 1934:
Since we shall not be in the park until late in the summer, permit me to review for you the measures which are proposed for the 1934 continuation of the park's program to assist the swans.
1. Trumpeter Lake should again be protected against all visitors, at least until the eggs hatch and the cygnets are a couple of weeks old. Even after that, it is not advisable to encourage any visitor to come to the lake except when accompanied by a ranger. The decision to keep the Cooke City road location at least as far away from Trumpeter Lake as the present old road is excellent both as a protection to this particular nesting lake and in its recognition of the principle that developments must give proper consideration to wildlife values.
2. Riddle Lake is probably the most favorable nesting water for trumpeter swans in the park. It is proposed that this lake be closed to fishing at least until the end of July. It has been suggested that fishing should be encouraged because of an overabundance of trout in the lake. However, the reports of those who have taken trout at Riddle Lake indicate that the fish there are not good quality anyway, owing probably to the warmth and stagnancy of the water. Therefore, why not close this lake to fishing entirely so long as trumpeter swans nest there?
Figure 44. – Marsh area of Upper Red Rock Lake, Mont.
The Red Rock Lakes comprise the most important single nesting ground of
the trumpeter swan in the United States.
(Photograph taken September
10, 1933. Upper Red Rock Lake, Mont. Wildlife Division No. 3348.)
3. It is urged that local coyote control be carried on at Trumpeter Lake, Swan Lake (if occupied by swans this year), White Lake, and any other of the nesting lakes which are so constituted as to expose cygnets to coyote damage. By this same token I do not consider that coyote control at Riddle Lake, Shoshone Lake, and Heart Lake would render any protective benefit to the swans.
4. It is proposed that the system devised by Ranger Arnold for preventing the trumpeter swans from making land crossings between lakes be used at both Tern Lake and Trumpeter Lake this year. This consists of setting out flags and placing certain other repellents.
5. The proposed plan to construct small nesting islands in those lakes which, while otherwise suitable to trumpeter swans, have no nesting sites, should be undertaken this year under Emergency Conservation Work or other emergency funds, if possible. Heart Lake and White Lake are suggested for this experiment. Ot course, this work should not be done on any lake on which trumpeter swans are going to try to nest this year, until the nesting effort is seen to be a failure or late in the fall when the cygnets have departed.
6. Reconnaissance work should be continued by rangers in their respective districts throughout time season, as in former years. A check should be made of both proven and possible nesting lakes before the eggs hatch, in other words, prior to June 1. A second census should be taken in late July to determine the number of cygnets surviving at that time. Finally, it has been decided that the only way to make a complete and satisfactory census of trumpeter swans nesting in the Yellowstone region is by airplane survey. It is proposed that this survey be made in August when we reach the park. Jackson Hole, Henry's Lake, and Red Rock Lakes, all outside the park, should be included on this flight.
Figure 45. – Photograph of the framed trumpeter swan
picture with its caution, which has been posted in the gun clubs and
appropriate public places in the Red Rock district.
(Photograph by
Dr. Frank R. Oastler, Red Rock Lakes, Mont., June 18, 1932.)
As reported to you from time to time, we are also conducting a program to improve conditions for the trumpeter swans in the areas adjacent to the park, by personal contact, letters, and supplying attractive framed enlargements of Dr. Oastler's trumpeter swan picture with explanatory legend. We have been successful in stimulating the interest of hunting clubs on Red Rock Lake to the point where they have taken up the matter of trumpeter swan protection with the Montana Fish and Game Commission. In response to their request for assistance, the commission posted a reward of $50 for the arrest amid conviction of anyone found guilty of killing a trumpeter swan.
We now have proposed the following program:
1. Shooting licenses sold throughout Montana to be stamped with a warning to exercise care against accidental shooting of swans.
2. Large painted signs to be placed on all approach roads to the lakes.
3. Radio publicity to be arranged by the State game commission.
4. Newspaper publicity to be sent out by the game commission before the opening of the shooting season. We would be glad to furnish data and pictures for such newspaper articles.
5. Metal signs to be posted at intervals along the lake shore bearing a legend similar to the caption on the framed trumpeter swan picture, calling attention to the fact that birds of the year are gray rather than white and carrying notice of the reward offered by the State of Montana.
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Last Modified: Tues, Feb 1 2000 07:08:48 pm PDT
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