Steady as They Go
Recommended Updates to Swan Population Objectives
Swan population objectives are summarized in Appendix F. After consultation with the Flyways, no changes were recommended to tundra swan objectives, but recent population estimates were updated.
A Species to Watch
Trumpeter Swan Population Status and Management
The last range-wide survey of trumpeter swans happened in 2015. Thus, recent data are not available to update trumpeter swan status estimates. It seems clear from a few state surveys that the Interior population has continued to grow, as have all trumpeter swan breeding segments other than the U.S. portion of the Rocky Mountain population (Vrtiska et al., in press).
The three eastern Flyways are presently reviewing the Interior population management plan. The Pacific Flyway trumpeter swan subcommittee is also revising the management plan for the Pacific Coast population, incorporating a new monitoring protocol using data from the annual WBPHS in Alaska (Strata 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7). Past coverage in British Columbia would be missing, but the Alaska data would enable trend monitoring for most of the Pacific Coast population.
