The swans are back – but only the shy ones so far

Posted On March 30, 2023

Reports on the number of swans now stopped in the Yukon continue to climb, so yesterday I went for a look at four of the best viewing areas. I only got very distant sightings but it was great to be out anyway.

The four locations, and the number of swans reported on eBird are M’Clintock Bay on Marsh Lake (44), the Teslin River at Johnson’s Crossing (15), the Tagish Narrows and Bridge (48), and Carcross (0).

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My first photo stop was at Alaska Highway Km 1394, a common stop for this broad view of the Yukon River.

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My first swan stop was at the Swan Haven Interpretive Centre on M’Clintock Bay. It opens April 1st for daily events during “A Celebration of Swans,” which lasts the entire month. I heard lots of swans onn the long stretch of open water off in the distance when I arrived, but I knew what to expect and didn’t even watch them through the spotting scope on the deck. The stop was mostly to show a complete record of the four locations.

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The adjoining property in the photo above belongs to the McClintock Bay Resort, who will have hot food and drinks available daily during the Celebration. You may notice that Swan Haven uses the spelling M’Clintock, while the resort uses McClintock – the correct spelling is M’Clintock.

Many events at Swan Haven are held indoors, in the first building to the left. Beyond are private homes.

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Although Trumpeter and Tundra swans are the focus, one of the interpretive signs at Swan Haven shows some of the many other birds that may be seen there.

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White Mountain is another location that often stops me for photos. The next one was shot right at the Km 1344 milepost. Jake’s Corner (once a full lodge, sometimes a cafe/gas stop in recent years, but just cardlock gas at the moment) is 2 km ahead.

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I drove past my Teslin River turnoff for a look at the Johnson’s Crossing Lodge, more for further information than any need at the moment, though I had a small craving for something sweet. Three people with bicycles and trailers (!) were just getting their gear off and going in, which pleased me – these are tough times for the lodges.

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The main viewing spot on the Teslin River is right under the bridge that carries the Alaska Highway over it.

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There were a dozen or so swans (eBird reported 15), far off but visible and audible, so that was good. The next photo below was shot at 105mm, the one below it at 400mm.

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Next, I was off to the Tagish Bridge. The afternoon light was unfortunately not conducive to photography on that leg of the trip. The waters around the bridge were completely empty of bird life, though this has often been my most productive location.

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Carcross was the final destination. The next photo shows Chootla Lake on the Tagish Road. The most distant peaks are at the West Arm of Lake Bennett.

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Despite the “Swans At Work” signs, all the swans had taken the day off 🙂

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The waters here, too, were quiet.

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It was now a few minutes after 5:00, so my timing had worked out quite well. It was time to get home to get dinner for Bella and Tucker.

Mother Nature did have a consolation prize for me – a small herd of caribou at Robinson. After-work traffic from Whitehorse was quite heavy so I didn’t bother to try to put my long lens on as I knew they wouldn’t hang around for long.

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Despite the lack of cooperation by the swans, it was a lovely day to be out. It felt so good! to be on the road, and I put 276 km on the Tracker. That means that Skagway is now possible, so as soon as I see a decent weather forecast, that’s where I’ll be heading.