Swan Adventure

Maxville Alternative School students are the first in the Durand Area to collect data for the national bird survey known as “eBird.” Sponsored by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, eBird is one of the largest and fastest growing biodiversity data banks in the world. How big is it? In 2006, participants reported more than 4.3 million observations across North America.



On Thursday, December 3rd, the Maxville team braved below-freezing temperatures and light snow along the Mississippi riverfront at Cedar Ridge Resort (south of Nelson on State Road 35), where they observed and counted waterfowl in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Pool 4).


“I never noticed all the floating birds,” said Tyler Corbecky,” Without binoculars they could pass for snow.”


The team spotted more than 2,000 Tundra Swans, more than 300 Canada Geese and hundreds of other ducks, including Gadwall, American Widgeon, Mallards, Canvasbacks, Ringnecks, Scaup and Goldeneye. They also spotted 6 Bald Eagles, perched in a cottonwood along the river, harassing waterfowl on the river and flying over the bluffs.


Watching the swans and geese coming in for a landing “was a breath-taking experience,” said Cassie Buckmaster. “It was almost like a ballet.”


For other students, hearing the cacophony of thousands of bird in one pool was unforgettable. “The sounds of all the species together was cool,” Luis Garcia said.


Before heading back to school, the team stopped at Riecks Lake where they counted 6 Tundra Swans and dozens of Canada Geese close to the deck.


Students also learned how some of these birds got their names. “It was interesting to find out that the geese we saw are called ‘Canada’ geese, not ‘Canadian’ as most people call them,” said Evan Kircher.


“We plan to continue to count birds and other wildlife in the Lower Chippewa River and Tiffany Bottoms throughout the year, and submit our findings to eBird via the internet,” said Gwen Sweeney, Teacher at the Alternative School. “And we just installed a feeding station so we can count and identify birds right outside our door.”


The Maxville team plans to apply for grants to cover the cost of field equipment (binoculars, digital cameras, laptop computers, GPS, etc), books (field identification guides, species accounts and habitat guides) and supplies (sunflower seed, nyjer, white proso millet and peanut suet, 4 large metal garbage cans).


Readers interested in supporting this project are urged to contact Gwen Sweeney at Maxville Alternative School, S451 State Road 25, Durand, WI 54736 715.672.5851 gsweeney@durand.k12.wi.us .