Map quiz 9 - answer

The pattern of occurrence shown on this map was pretty non-intuitive. It showed a species for all years and it was one that was common in Alaska and western Canada, with additional areas of concentration around Washington and Wyoming. We would almost bet that had we shown this part of the range only, that it would have been easier. And if we had enough data and restricted the years to pre-1985, there would have been essentially no records from the East.

Map Quiz 10: Click the map for a larger view.

This was a 'trick map', but it is also a fascinating story since this was a species feared in danger of extinction. Introduced populations were brought to Ruby Lake, Nevada (the small dark spot in Nevada) and protections were instilled in the United States and Canada. Later, populations were introduced around the Great Lakes on both sides of the international border. Those introductions have resulted in wandering and migrating birds spending the winter at points south, including records as far south as Arkansas, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia. Strays have occurred as far east as Massachusetts and Long Island. The dark spot in central New York is the heavily birded Montezuma NWR.

Did all that help any? Yes, the bird is Trumpeter Swan. When we looked at this map we were astonished at how widespread and prevalent the eBird records were of Trumpeter Swan in the East. It is only recently that these introduction efforts (as far back as 1982 in Ontario and even 1960 elsewhere) have really started to take hold. The Great Lakes and New York populations continue to grow and these huge swans are appearing in new places all the time, including Connecticut's first just a couple weeks ago. Hopefully these Map Quizzes continue to be enjoyable and educate us all about where and when birds are occurring; be sure to consider Trumpeters when you find your next swan somewhere!