Sponsors: Friends of Tennant/Hovander, NCAS, WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, and Whatcom County Parks

No Registration Required.

Meet at Tennant Lake Interpretive Center, end of Nielsen Road adjacent to Hovander Park.

Ideally, this annual event will provide participants the opportunity to watch, from the park viewing tower, as wintering swans depart their roosting place on Tennant Lake at sunrise. When that happens it is a memorable experience with the sun rising alongside Mount Baker off to the east. Depending on the weather and habitat conditions, it does not always work out perfectly. But, if the lake is not frozen, we usually see a varying number of swans, both trumpeter and tundra, as well as other waterfowl, often under rainy conditions. The birds are usually off to nearby fields to forage before 7:30 so do come early.

After their departure, you are invited to join us at the Interpretive Center for warmth and refreshments as well as a presentation by WDFW Swan Biologist, Daniel Zimmerman to learn how our local swans are doing, and about the efforts of state biologists and local wildlife rehabilitators to protect them. We hope to have staff from the Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to talk about their work with sick and injured swans and possibly a healthy, rehabbed swan for release. Bring your binoculars and cameras if you have them.