ON WING: That tundra swan injured in a traffic accident in
mid-March has been released back into the wild.

Carol Holmgren, assistant wildlife rehabilitator at Tamarack
Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Meadville, writes:
“After a week of treatment in a confined space, it was moved to a
40-foot flight building. Over the weekend, it gained strength, and
yesterday (March 26), in consultation with Game Commission Wildlife
Biologist Kevin Jacobs, the swan was released in an area where 200
tundra swans were stopping over on their migration.”

“When the crate was opened the swan immediately took to the air
and strongly flew 400 yards to join a large group of swans,” she
added.

Carol passed along a special thanks to Sam Oyler of Johnsonburg
and his daughter Faith Fetterman “for giving this swan a second
chance.”

In case you missed it, The Era carried a story March 15 about
the swan which had collided with a truck. Mr. Oyler witnessed the
accident and he and daughter Faith drove the bird to the Meadville
center.

Faith had sent us an email about the rescue, including a picture
of her father holding the big black-legged bird.

The day before, we had carried a picture of a flock of tundra
swans at Hamlin Lake in Smethport and this bird, presumably, was
part of that group of migrants.

So, all is well that ends well.

MORE NEWS: As you’re checking out the birds returning for
spring, keep your eyes peeled for the rusty blackbird.

Pat Leonard of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology reports that the
population of these birds is crashing, plummeting as much as 88-98
percent over the past few decades.

Bird watchers across North America are being asked to help
scientists track migrating rusty blackbirds from April 1-7. If you
see one, please enter your tallies online at www.eBird.org.

A century ago, the rusty blackbird was an incredibly abundant
bird. Accounts from the period detail spectacular spring
migrations, but these reports stand in stark contrast to the
situation today. Rusty blackbird populations have suffered one of
most staggering population declines of any bird in North America. A
better understanding of its habitat requirements is key to
conserving its remaining populations, and spring migration is an
especially critical time. Hence, the need for any reports of
migrants through this region.