Sign of spring? Tundra Swans arrive at Thedford Bog near Grand Bend

Tundra Swans seen at the Thedford Bog in Grand Bend, Ont. (Source: Lambton Shores/X)

With warmer temperatures on the way this week, the feeling of spring will be in the air.

Another sign of the changing seasons is the arrival of the Tundra Swans at the Thedford Bog behind Lambton Heritage Museum (LHM).

According to the LHM Migration Calendar, more than 1,000 swans arrived this week in Lambton County as part of a 6,000-kilometre loop between Chesapeake Bay and the Canadian Arctic.

Colleen Inglis, educational program coordinator at the museum, said in a good year, there may be as many as 15,000 swans resting on the bog, attracted by the melt water of spring and the remnants of the prior year’s corn crop.

She adds the number of swans can change depending on time, weather and field conditions, and tells visitors to bring binoculars to get a better view.

For more information on the swans, the LHM has created a calendar for daily updates.

To coincide with the birds’ stop in Lambton County, the LHM is featuring a Return of the Swans feature exhibit. Visitors can learn about Tundra Swans, the history of the Thedford Bog, and participate in swan-themed activities.