Photo — Trumpeter Swans by Dee Renee Ericks

“A Swan Study: Insights, Storylines, and Partnerships”

Presented by Kyle Spragens, WDFW Waterfowl Section Manager

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Rainshadow Hall, Dungeness River Nature Center

Free to attend.

Kyle Spragens

Washington plays host to an impressive number of swans every year. While the sight of these massive white waterfowl on the landscape captivates the interest of waterfowl enthusiasts, the ecological role that Washington plays for both Trumpeter and Tundra swans is often misunderstood.

In November 2023, the WDFW-Waterfowl Section and a CalPoly Humboldt graduate student initiated an exciting marking project to help shed light on how individual swans use the landscapes that they are dependent upon, especially while here in Washington, and to inform how to influence Pacific Coast population-level conservation. This presentation will provide important background and context on the swan populations that are seen every year in Washington and share some preliminary insights on these migratory birds after a full year of data collection from this research project.

Kyle Spragens, Waterfowl Section Manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, coordinates monitoring and research activities statewide. He serves on the Pacific Flyway Study Committee charged with status assessments and harvest regulation responsibilities throughout the Pacific Flyway states. Currently he is the U.S. Chair for the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture Management Board and looks for an opportunity to talk about waterfowl whenever folks are interested.