Oiling of Swan Eggs at Grenadier Pond, High Park, Toronto

[KPaw]

Hi, apparently Toronto Conservation Authority oils the swan eggs at GP in HP routinely save and except for two years ago when there were, indeed, cygnets.

I can't understand this as there are only two pairs of mute swans on the pond.  

Is it over-population that is a concern or the sometimes aggressive nature of the mutes towards others??

Anyone who can enlighten me on this disturbing control of nature please do!

Thanks to all.

[Pat Hodgson]

perhaps it is because mute swans are a non-native species

[Axeman]

I have sometimes wondered if they oil indiscriminately...in the early 90's, I remember that there would be several hundred if not thousands of goslings in port credit...and of course lots of ducklings too...and now, there are almost no goslings...and no ducklings....I figure that control of the goose population is reaosnable but mallards weren't out of control...

I know that in the winter, we can see a flock approx. 100 mute swans...and of course lots of cygnets in the port credit area in the summer....

[The Observer]

It is true. I was on a walk today and the guide was a TRCA employee who said they are indeed oiling Mute Swan eggs in Grenadier Pond (in addition to Canada Goose eggs).

Not sure how this link from TRCA's Watershed Management Advisory Board Site Meeting #5/07 will work...
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:cjg ... =firefox-a

So just in case...
"Mute Swan eggs were also included in the program using the same methods. The Mute Swan has become a target for the egg oiling campaign for the following reasons:
The Mute Swan is a voracious eater of wetland plants, often uprooting entire clumps of plants while feeding on their roots. This seriously impedes restoration work and damages existing habitat.
The birds are very aggressive, disrupting waterfowl which are less common and more sensitive to disturbance.
Their aggression poses a threat to humans.
The Mute Swan is also a non-native species."

[angelicque]

it seems they missed a canada goose nest, as there are goslings there now. the swan nest this year looks like it'll be in a pretty hard spot for them to oil the eggs, so i am hoping they are able to have cygnets this year!

i am also keeping watch on the nest at CSS park as well...i really hope we have babies this year! last spring was rather depressing...

[egret]

I did not know about this

and would share

that recently
there was a Canada Goose
sitting at St. John's Rehab
on some eggs, I believe

and a few days later
I returned

no Goose
nothing

and dont know what happened

the patients sitting out there
really did not know


Egret

I was waiting for them to hatch
they had a sign saying to keep away

[mr.sharp-photo]

mute swan versus trumpet swan, from what i understand.

they want the native species back in Ontario

[Ron Luft]

Studies on CanGeese show that while many nest, not all are successful. There is a territoriality to a pairs nest site.  Stronger, more mature pairs will command the best and most favourable sites. Younger more inexperienced pairs choose poorly as they are forced away from prime real estate (location, location, location) and the nest is doomed to failure through loss of habitat, lack of food or predation. Many species of birds are the same. Geese nesting on a roof top may be a case of such poor choice. The general rule of nature is balance; CG's, Mutes and others have over polulated some areas because of man's intervention, direcetly or indirectly. Feeding them, plowing fields, harvesting grain/corn all aid larger populations that would naturally be sustainable. We understand how loss of habitat may reduce numbers in some species but it works the other way too. In natures true scheme of things we should only be seeing CG's occasionally and as a big migratory event in spring & fall. There is excitement over the migration of raptors, warblers, shorebirds and others but almost forgotten now about Can.Geese.  

[Axeman]

An interesting thought...for any population to increase, the breeding generation must add more than 2 individuals who themselves, are successful to adding to population...and the Canada Goose population seems to be increasing...

I had come across this thought in a paper on Salmon populations -- they lay 6,000 eggs apparently...and with stocks dwindling or remaining same, that means only 5,998 or less make it to spawn...