TRUMPETER SWAN SURVEY of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN POPULATION WINTER 2003

Observers counted 3,974 swans (white birds and cygnets) in the Rocky Mountain Population of trumpeter swans during February 2003, a decrease of 10% from the 4,415 counted in February 2002. The number of white birds (3,427) declined 11% from that of last year, while the number of cygnets (547) was essentially unchanged from the count last year (553). In the tri-state area, the decline in total swans was much greater in Montana (-38%) than in Idaho (-4%) or Wyoming (-11%). The number of birds wintering in areas near restoration flocks was similar to counts in recent years. Drought conditions persisted in much of the tri-state area, and reservoir levels in early February were some of the lowest recorded during early February. Weather during winter 2002-03 was relatively mild throughout the region