The Trumpeter
Swan:
In the Fraser Valley of British
Columbia, Canada we are most fortunate to have these wonderful
birds around from late October, early November until they head back
north again to their nesting area's in Northern Canada and Alaska
in the spring, you can witness them any day as you drive around the
Fraser Valley, sometimes in great numbers. So come out and enjoy
sightings of sometimes hundreds of birds in one
field.
FACTS: Provided by Canadian
Museum of Natural History
The Trumpeter Swan is the tallest of
the world's eight swan species. They range in size from 138 to 158
cm (54 to 61 in.). Males are slightly larger than females. With a
wingspan of up to 2.5 m (8 ft.), they are powerful fliers and
capable of speeds up to 80 km/h (50 MPH) in flight.
Once mated, Trumpeters usually remain
together for life. They often build their nests on the tops of
muskrat lodges.
Trumpeter Swans are found only in North
America. They were once common in their breeding range, but by the
early 1900s the species was nearly extinct. The cause can be traced
to human activities: Trumpeter Swans were hunted extensively for
food and feathers. The decline in their numbers sharpened when a
market developed in European settlements for its skin, feathers and
down. The trend continued with the gradual loss of nesting, feeding
and wintering habitats, especially in the United States, to
expanded land use.
Trumpeter Swans are now legally
protected in Canada and the United States, and provided with
sanctuaries. Also, their survival is assisted by habitat
restoration and controlled relocation of populations. As a result,
the number of Trumpeter Swans has slowly increased, and they are
relatively common again. In 2005, the global population was
estimated at 35 000 individuals.
Their breeding range is found in
pockets of North, West and central North America. They winter in
coastal lakes and rivers from southern Alaska and western British
Columbia southward into the United States, to Oregon, Nevada and
Wyoming, but also as far east as the state of New
York.
The cache is a large Thermos drink
container with a screw on top, it contains Hot Wheels cars each
individually placed in it's own baggy, of course the logbook,
pencil and sharpener.
This cache is located in a sensitive
area, for that reason it has been placed within 2 meters of the
trail in an area that will not be affected by someone walking to
the cache, sufficient hints will be given to find the cache easily
and there is absolutely no reason to cause any damage to any part
of the area. Please re-hide the cache as you found it and be very
aware of muggles.
Please keep with the theme of the cars
when trading or just sign the logbook.