BLACKFOOT TRUMPETER SWAN RESTORATION PROJECT

PROJECT BACKGROUND: An entry in the journals of the Lewis & Clark expedition dated July 6, 1806, refers to swans observed on Werner's Creek, which is today near Blackfoot-Clearwater Junction in the Blackfoot Valley. Being early July, these were likely trumpeter swans.

THREE CYGNETS SURVIVED to ten weeks of age and were released into their natal marsh with their father in September. In late October, the father swan led the young swans out of the Blackfoot Valley heading south. They were last seen together near Jackson, Wyoming.

AS WAS THE CASE throughout their range in the lower 48 states, breeding trumpeters likely disappeared during white settlement of western Montana, including in the Blackfoot Valley. But that all changed in the spring of 2003 when a pair of trumpeters decided to nest on a wetland near Lincoln at the eastern end of the Blackfoot Valley. Although the female of the pair died in a collision with a power line, the landowners recovered the eggs from the nest which were then transported to the Montana Waterfowl Foundation near Ronan. At the Foundation, the eggs were hatched and reared by surrogate swan parents there.

PROJECT FUTURE: The Montana Wetlands Legacy, like its sister organization the Wyoming Wetland Society, recognizes trumpeter swans as an icon for wetland conservation. Wherever they occur, breeding trumpeters are an indicator of high quality wetlands, abundant plant life, wild places, and land owners and managers who care about the future of wetlands and the wildlife they support.

MISSOULA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, Inc. is also a key partner in the success of the project, working cooperatively with the Blackfoot Challenge to identify power lines which may pose a hazard to flying swans. Lines are being removed, buried, or marked with flight diverters which will help trumpeters see and avoid them.

IN LATE SUMMER 2004, a habitat inventory of over 70 of the highest quality wetlands in the Blackfoot was completed by researchers from the University of Montana Watershed Health Clinic. Results of this work helped to identify release sites with a high likelihood for success.

THEN, ON JUNE 23, 2005, a group of ten yearling and 2-year-old trumpeters were released on a wetland near Ovando. The Blackfoot Challenge and Montana Wetlands Legacy partners plan to continue annual releases of swans until a population of at least seven breeding pairs resides in the Valley.

THE BLACKFOOT CHALLENGE strongly supports this project as an enhancement and benefit to the Valley's wild, untamed nature and to increase the diversity of birds breeding there. The Montana Wetlands Legacy has supported the Challenge and its partners in the project because of the high density and quality of wetlands in the Blackfoot and the value of restoring breeding trumpeters to the area to raise public awareness of the value of wetlands to life in the Blackfoot and in Montana.

TO LEARN MORE about how you can support the Trumpeter Swan Project go to:

OR CONTACT The Blackfoot Challenge:

http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/pfw/montana/mt6.htm