Swan Watch Volunteer Scott Mehues talks with visitors on the observation deck. - USFWS photo by Mary Stefanski

A bus full with 50 enthusiastic bird watchers recently made the trip to the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge to view migrating tundra swans.  The guests were treated to a tour hosted by Dave Palmquist from Whitewater State Park and Mary Stefanski, Winona District Manager.  The good and the bad were the same, the weather was blue-bird perfect, great for standing outside, bad for seeing swans. The tour included a stop at the Reick's Lake observation deck (Winona District) near Alma, Wis., where volunteers with the Alma Swan Watch offered displays and information on waterfowl.

While many ducks were nearby, only three swans showed themselves briefly as they changed position in the marsh. The view was better near Brownsville, Minn., (LaCrosse District) were approximately 300 swans were visible along with thousands of migrating ducks, pelicans and bald eagles. Volunteers from the Friends of Upper Miss Refuges assisted by providing volunteers at the Brownsville observation deck and slowing traffic along the road. Everyone had a great time and learned a little more about our National Wildlife Refuge system.