Get Ready for the Tundra...

The Mississippi was hopefully ready for the Tundra... Tundra Swans that is. We started hearing the swans flying over head over a week a go and it hasn't stopped as thousands of these birds head toward the Mississippi backwaters where tree lines protect them a bit from the winds as they refuel for their journey south.

The most recent cold snap and snow fall iced  some areas and as more flocks flew in, the guests found themselves standing on frozen patches. It warmed up a bit and melted in most areas 24 hours later.

Hunkered down... the cold is catching up with them

Last year the Dept. of Natural Resources received a grant to create a couple more educational roadside viewing areas equipped with Park Rangers no less.  We are fortunate to have one such area right down the road from us. I recently stopped and found scopes added for both little and big people. 

This new scenic stop just past Goose Island a 1/2 mile besides the viewing scopes has information regarding the fowl visitors because there's a lot more to identify than just the Tundra Swans.

Duck possibilities include  Common Goldeneye , Bufflehead, Ring Necked Duck, American Coot, Hooded Merganser, Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Canvasback, Gadwall, Pintail, Blue Winged Teal, Green Tailed Teal, Wood duck, American Widgeon and Northern Shovelers.

What's a bit ironic is while we at this stop are busy admiring nature in the Restricted hunting area duck hunters's gun shots can be heard ringing out in the not so far distance.

School groups are also including this migration in their field trips.  And why not? It's in their back yard.
Others travel states to witness this phenomena.

 The sun had broken through the clouds and the water was iluminated with hundreds of white dots.

The Ranger was eager to talk to all who stopped about the wildlife that abound in this area- ducks, eagles and about the most recent guests, the Tundra Swans. 

2500 swans are expected to frequent this roadside diner. I think this week we have surpassed those expectations.

So how could these swans possibly find enough fish in this area for food? Well that's not their diet because the swans feed on the tubers of the arrow root plant.

Can you guess how many pounds of tubers one swan will eat per day?

Hint:   This container has 3 pounds of tubers.

A swan consumes ...  ?



Two of these in other words-  6 pounds a day. How can there possibly be that many tubers in those backwaters? Feast your eyes on all the fine feathered friends.

We feel so fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful parts of this country and it does lessen the bite of winter right here in the End of the Rainbow Valley.

Click on arrow for my home video and below click will show you more re: Tundra Swans
Last year's Tundra Swan Blog Entry