Tundra Swans Winter at Lake Mattamuskeet NC

I'm happy to watch the Tundra Swans at Mattamuskeet Lake

Driving 4 hours east from my home brings me to a rural 40,000 acre lake. From November through mid-December Tundra Swans arrive by the thousands. This shallow lake and the surrounding Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge is one of their wintering locations, and hosts 65,000-75,000 of the majestic white birds.

3 Tundra Swans in Flight with More Swimming Below

Our visit on November 10 allowed us to see hundreds of newly arrived swans. Most were paired up and swimming around greeting each other with soft coo's as if to say "it's so good to be here." Young swans with dirty-white coloring followed their parents around. Many of the birds had heads completely submerged to feed on the aquatic vegetation that will make a big part of their winter diet.

Map Showing Swan Icons

With towns named Swan Quarter and Swansboro, it seems the migration to North Carolina has been going on since colonial times. Our road map had flying swan icons representing refuge areas along the protected coastal areas and lakes of eastern North Carolina.

Tundra Swans Swimming at Lake Mattamuskeet

The swans live and breed in the Arctic and subarctic tundra. That is an area across the northern borders of Canada and Alaska. As winter approaches they make the grueling migration through Canada and the Great Lakes area towards the Atlantic coast. (A range map for the Tundra Swan can be found here.) The young develop at a rapid rate in preparation for migrating with their parents. These birds can fly at an altitude of 5 miles.

The swans are beautiful with long curving necks, black bills, and bright white plumage. Because they share the wetlands with Canada Geese, I could really appreciate their huge size. They're about twice the size of the geese. They feed on aquatic plants in the lake and leftovers in nearby farm fields.

Tree Swallows Perched Along Wetlands

There were many Tree Swallows, Double-crested Cormorants, and Egrets at the lake. The number of Tree Swallows increased as the day progressed. They skimmed the water surfaces to gorge on flying insects. To rest between feedings, they gathered in large groups on bushes at the water's edge.

What birds migrate through your area? The excitement of arriving at a wintering place is amazing to watch, and I encourage you to explore your local migrations. I would love to hear about it.

Update: I went back to Mattamuskeet on January 27, 2018. Click here to see that post.

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