There are many Mute Swans in and around the park and a pair have built a nest at the wetland viewing area. Some park visitors have heard that the eggs will be oiled to prevent them from hatching and wish to know the reasons behind this policy. Here is TRCA's explanation.
Mute Swan management is being undertaken because Mute Swans
are not native to North America and their population has been steadily
increasing over the last decade, as they appear to lack significant natural
predators. They cause significant damage
in natural habitats; they displace and disrupt native waterfowl and other
wildlife species that are less common and more sensitive to disturbance; and
they can be very aggressive toward people.
Mute Swans also seriously affect the lengthy and costly shoreline and
wetland restoration work that has been completed along the Toronto
waterfront.
Typically with the Mute Swan Management Program, eggs are
sprayed with mineral oil to prevent egg development and re-nesting, but in some
cases the nests are removed because of the public’s interaction with the swans
and the high probability of human/ wildlife conflict concerns. In some areas
along the Toronto waterfront many people have been observed feeding the swans,
and even have gone to such lengths as providing nesting material to build nests
in highly developed areas. This is the root cause of the problem and is
altering the swans natural behaviours and causing them to be attracted to
nesting in unnatural areas. Wildlife
that becomes dependent on humans often results in conflicts between humans and
animals. 
Our management approach is well thought out. All eggs are
float tested before nests are oiled or destroyed by briefly immersing the eggs
in water (as per the US Humane Society protocol). The float test helps determine the age of the
egg, so that management is undertaken ethically. If a float test shows positive development,
eggs are not removed or oiled. We
monitor specific areas every two weeks during the nesting season for Canada
Geese and Mute Swan nests, so development of any eggs is unlikely.
The Mute Swan Management Program will not affect the
existing opportunities for public viewing or appreciation of these birds;
however, it will slow the ongoing population increase and distribution of the
species into other waterfront habitats that are currently occupied by native
species. Furthermore, it is important to
continue the current management program as it has proven to be effective in
mitigating the local population increase with minimal cost and effort."
Please note that the Mute Swan management programme is
carried out by the Toronto Conservation Authority who have jurisdiction over
wildlife management along the waterfront.
This is NOT an initiative of Friends of Sam Smith Park. Please address any concerns directly with
TRCA.
Follow this link to an Environment Canada fact sheet on the Mute Swan.
2 comments:
Were have you been earlier? The couple of swans at Colonel Smith Park built a nest at the end of March in very public spot - right beside an observation deck. My family, as many others, witnessed as they struggled through extremely cold April. The female didn't move for several days, she was covered with snow. She's starved and became very thin before the weather improved. I kept explaining to my kids about cruelty of the nature; all of us were at awe at birds' devotion and resilience. Now, in May, you came and terminated it. I saw the swans today - they sat motionless and sad. What should I tell to my children?
A cruel Act! Please phone The Canadian Wildlife Service who provide permits to the Conservation officials to kill baby swans. The Trumpeter Swan is reintroduced by "The Trumpeter Swan Society" A SWAN IS A SWAN regarding damage that Mute Swans are causing told by officials. Mute Swans do not fly long distances and can't earn their keep by migrating long distances for hunters to slaughter like the other two black beak swans. Trumpeter and Tundra look alike and are being slaughtered during migration ~ Swan Trophy! SWANS ARE A PROTECTED species BY MIGRATORY LAW! There is NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE Mute Swans are INVASIVE! Mute Swans are known as the Queen's Swans! Please sign my petition "Stop the killing of mute swans in Toronto" Please be the VOICE for the Mute Swans. Thank you. mona
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