Johnstown, PA — Tundra Swan migration season traditionally isn't for another few weeks, but at one Cambria county State Park - the large birds have already been visiting for the past few days.
6 New visited that State Park Wednesday and the Park Manager at Prince Gallitzin State Park says a reason why the Tundra Swans are in our area now is because of the unseasonably warm winter we are experiencing.
“Historically in the last few years we’ve been seeing them in march. So, it’s kind of different that were seeing them in February this year,” says Jessica Lavelua, the Park Manager of Prince Gallitzin State Park.
Lavelua says the swans stopped at the park's lake Glendale as they begin migrating for the springtime.
“The Tundra Swans flew in on Saturday,” adds Lavelua. “So they’ve been here for a while. Probably any day now they’ll be taking off.”
Generally the swans migrate in the spring from the Chesapeake Bay, "So like Delaware, Jersey area and they go all the way up to the artic; Canada, Alaska” says Lavelua.
And although we are seeing them earlier this year than expected Lavelua says the swans traditionally make a stop at Glendale lake because, “it’s one of the larger lakes across Pennsylvania in the area and there’s a big group of them, about 200.”
Lavelua mentions Tundra Swans like many other bird species – travel in a large flock because it is safe.
Lavelua tells Channel 6, “For the most part once a few of them start going, the rest are following behind and their flying in a big ‘V’ formation to the next stop.”
The Park Manager estimates the Tundra Swans will continue migrating to the artic soon – so if you want to see them she advises you call the Prince Gallitzin State Park office to learn whether they are still there or not before you make the trip.
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