In early February, tundra swans began congregating on Chopawamsic Creek, in preparation for their migration back to Alaska and Canada in March.
The birds typically arrive at the creek in early November and then spread throughout the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay area for the winter, said Tim Stamps, head of Fish, Wildlife and Agronomy for the base.
“They almost always start grouping up in mid-February on Chopawamsic Creek,” Stamps said, adding that large numbers of the swans usually stay around the creek until mid-March, when they begin the journey back to their breeding grounds in arctic and subarctic Alaska and northern Canada.
Similar to the better-known trumpeter swans, tundra swans are all-white with black bills, but they are much smaller and have proportionally shorter necks.
Stamps said certain characteristics of the lower end of the creek make it a favorite gathering spot for the birds.
“In general, it’s a good waterfowl habitat. It’s shallow, and it’s full of submerged aquatic vegetation that’s good for food,” he said, noting that the swans prefer areas where they don’t have to dive to reach a meal.
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