When Leola Rogers heads out for a walk at Esquimalt Lagoon, she canB次元官网网址檛 help but feel like something is missing.
She rarely sees the big, white trumpeter swans that once graced the waters of the lagoon. There were four at the beginning of spring and now thereB次元官网网址檚 only one, leaving the Metchosin resident wondering where the swans have gone.
B次元官网网址淭here were so many, youB次元官网网址檇 go down there and theyB次元官网网址檇 be swimming around. TheyB次元官网网址檙e such a beautiful bird, theyB次元官网网址檙e so graceful,B次元官网网址� Rogers said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 just the lone one now, if you even see it B次元官网网址� I miss them and I canB次元官网网址檛 be the only person who is wondering what happened to them.B次元官网网址�
Growing up, Rogers enjoyed watching the trumpeter swans swim around the lake near her hometown of Camrose, Alta., which is why she was thrilled to see mute swans at Esquimalt Lagoon roughly four or five years ago.
Walking along the shoreline, she would often see dozens of mute swans, which are distinguished by their orange bills and fleshy knobs B次元官网网址� a trend that continued for several years. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 until a few years ago that the trumpeter swans moved into the area and the mute swans disappeared. But now, that population has declined as well, she said.
B次元官网网址淭hey were definitely there in the winter and now thereB次元官网网址檚 just one,B次元官网网址� Rogers said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just kind of a mystery B次元官网网址� and you notice when they arenB次元官网网址檛 there anymore.B次元官网网址�
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In the past, Victoria was one of the countryB次元官网网址檚 two main hubs for mute swan populations, many found at the lagoon.
Esquimalt Lagoon is a migratory bird sanctuary and is overseen by Environment Canada. Since mute swans are not native to North America, Environment Canada does not track mute swan populations. The reason for the apparent decline is unknown.
B次元官网网址淭he habitat available at Esquimalt Lagoon has not changed and is still suitable for breeding for mute swans and over-wintering for all species,B次元官网网址� said an emailed statement.
B次元官网网址淚t is likely that there has been a redistribution of individuals from the Esquimalt Lagoon to other areas with suitable habitat.B次元官网网址�
Swans are also a highly territorial species and are most aggressive during nest and brood rearing between March and August. ItB次元官网网址檚 possible one or two highly territorial swans drove the others away from the area, said Environment Canada.
