Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia
| Historical Perspective | Format | Species Accounts | Hypothetical List | Acknowledgements | Literature Cited
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
WINTER: Casual Visitant from late December to late February. This introduced species was considered hypothetical by Kiff et al. (1986), based on the record of six on 28 January 1984 (GR). However, it has been recorded annually in winter from 1994 to 2008. Early dates, one on 10 December 1995 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA, MF, MG, GR); two on 11 December 2005 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG, DP, GR); three on 14 December 2005 at Gavin Power Plant (HS). See Remarks section for high counts.
SUMMER: Accidental. Two at Byrd Locks & Dam on 28 June 2007 (WA). Present since 03 March 2007. See Spring and fall sections.
MIGRATION:
Spring: Casual Visitant. Seven records. One "adult" from 02 to 23 March 1996 at McClintic WMA (WA, MG); two "immature" from 01 to 29 March 1996 (first seen 22 February) at Apple Grove, Mason Co., WV (WA, MG, GR, SS); one from 03 to 16 April 1994 at McClintic WMA (WA, MG, Steve Mace); two at Green Bottom WMA on 03 March 2007 (MG, DP) and two from 03 March through May 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG, DP); one on 08 May 1982 at McClintic WMA (WA, LK, LW); one on 16 May 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MO).
Fall: Accidental. Two from 25 October through 30 November 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA ,SA, MG, DP). One found dead on 03 December 2007 (WA) and a second found dead by WVDNR personnel on 05 March 2008 (WA).
REMARKS:
Winter High Counts: 12 on 07 January 1994 on the Ohio River at Huntington, WV (WA, Leif Anderson); 11 on 28 December 2000 at Green Bottom WMA (7) and Byrd Locks & Dam (4) (GR); as many as 10 from 03 February to 01 March 1997 at Green Bottom WMA (WA).