TRUMPETER SWAN Cygnus buccinator Richardson, 1832
Total records: 58
Accepted: 21
Not accepted: 28
Unsubmitted/unreviewed: 3
Years reviewed by the CBRC: all records

Grinnell and Miller (1944) discuss many records for California, but clearly state that no specimens appear to be preserved; thus, none of those records can now be verified, although no doubt many of them are correct. The first record with acceptable documentation was of one observed closely on 8 November 1935 in Bailey Creek Meadow between Grasshopper Valley and Termo LAS (McLean 1937). Another was studied at Abbott's Lagoon MRN 1 January-9 March 1962 (Condor 65:69). The first photographically documented record was of an adult observed with Tundra Swans at Ramer Lake SLO 13-22 January 1973 (Schram 1973). This is one of the few species to have more records not accepted than accepted. Identification problems are covered in various places (e.g., Patten and Heindel 1994) and underscore how difficult the idenitification is. Many records pertain to single birds and many of these are silent. In many cases adequatley documenting such a report is very difficult as no size comparisons or vocal cues can be used. Observers need significant experience to understand the variation in plumages and differences in calls for this group. We suspect they are indeed more numerous than the number of accepted records would suggest and that some of the records may have been correct; observers need to be very thorough when dealing with this species.

Accepted

1. 8 Nov 1935 Bailey Creek, vic. Termo LAS 1984-189 10
2. 1 Jan-9 Mar 1962 Abbotts Lagoon MRN 1984-193 10 ph.
3. 13-22 Jan 1973 Ramer Lake, Carrizo Plain SLO 1980-179 7 ph.
A photograph of this bird was published by Schram (1973) and Roberson (1980:67); see Schram (1973) for details regarding this record.
4. 1 Jan-17 Feb 1975 Legg Lake, El Monte LA 1980-131 6 also 13-15 Mar 1975 Covina LA
5. 27 Nov 1977 (4) Mono Lake MNO 1978-002 4
6. 24 Feb 1979 Tule Lake LAK 1979-016 5
7. 23 Dec 1984 Tule Lake NWR SIS 1985-028 12
8. 23 Dec 1984 Tule Lake NWR MOD 1985-196 12
9. 2 Dec 1985-14 Mar 1986 (4) Smith R. mouth DN 1986-001 11
10. 1 Feb 1986 (2) King I. SJ 1986-340 12
11. 30 Dec 1986 (3) Butte Sink SUT 1987-018 14
12. 18 Jan 1987 (2) Tule Lake NWR SIS 1987-078 12
13. 2 Feb 1987 (2) Lower Klamath NWR SIS 1987-153 15
14. 26 Dec 1987 vic. Stockton SJ 1988-060 13
15. 1 Jan-15 Feb 1988 Lake Almanor PLU 1988-204 15
16. 12 Feb 1988 (3) Lower Klamath NWR SIS 1988-295 13
17. 2-3 Jan 1989 Honey Lake WMA LAS 1989-079 13
18. 10 Feb 1989 Nelson BUT 1989-052 15
19. 30 Nov 1991 (2) Lower Klamath NWR SIS 1991-210 18 ph.
20. 28 Feb 1992 (3) Sierra Valley PLU 1992-091 18
21. 27 Nov 1993 (2) Tule L. NWR SIS 1994-003 19

Not accepted, identification not established

Jan 1957 Wards Lake LAS 1984-109 14
1-13 Jan 1963 Abbotts Lagoon MRN 1992-097 16
21 Jan 1963 Empire Track, Stockton SJ 1984-190 10
early Feb-25 Mar 1967 Pescadero SM 1989-082 14 ph.
31 Dec 1967 (5) Santa Rosa SON 1977-041 5
29 Dec 1968 (3) Año Nuevo SM 1984-191 10
2 Mar 1969 south Humboldt Bay HUM 1984-192 10
17 Nov 1974 (3) Santa Clara R. mouth VEN 1988-198 15 ph.
15 Jul 1975 Shingletown LAS 1986-194 14
11 Nov 1978 Lake Merced SF 1978-125 6
4 Feb 1979 Lower Klamath NWR SIS 1986-195 12
2 Jan 1982 Chico BUT 1982-002 9
5 Dec 1983 Antelope Valley LA 1990-047 14
6 Jan 1984 (20) Clear Lake NWR MOD 1987-068 12
15 Dec 1984 Diaz Lake INY 1985-029 12
21 Mar 1986 Colusa NWR COL 1987-070 14
20-25 Jan 1988 Modesto STA 1988-208 13,15 SBMNH 4059, ph.
The specimen proved to be that of a Whistling Swan (C. columbianus columbianus).
18 Mar-2 Apr 1988 Sierra Valley PLU 1988-111 16 video
29 Dec 1988 Lake Almanor MOD 1989-200 15
20 Jan 1989 Venice I. SJ 1989-053 16
23 Dec 1989 5 mi s. of Talmage MEN 1990-060 15 ph.
1 Jan 1991 (2) n. of Stockton SJ 1991-059 16
2-6 Jan 1991 (5) Arcata Bottoms HUM 1991-058 17 ph.
28 Apr 1991 Goose Lake MOD 1992-020 17
24 Dec 1991 Tule Lake NWR MOD 1992-218 17
18 Jan 1992 (imm) Lower Klamath NWR SIS 1992-104 18

Not accepted, no extant documentation

22 Dec 1893 Buena Vista Lake KER uncataloged 14
other non-specific 19th century records from Grinnell and Miller (1944) uncataloged 14

Submitted/In circulation

23 Jan 1992 Tecopa INY 1992-206 ph.
24-28 Dec 1992 (3) Thibaut Pond, nr. Independence INY 1993-065 ph.
and 5 Apr 1993 Klondike Lake INY
15 Feb 1993 (3) Lake Almanor PLU 1993-068
30 Nov-26 Dec 1993 (2) Modoc NWR MOD 1994-004
7 Feb 1995 vic. Grimes COL 1995-022
4 Jan 1996 (same?) vic. Grimes COL 1996-037

Unsubmitted

1978-1980 (several?) ne. California SIS/MOD
1985-1986 Los Banos MER
4 Jan 1992 Goose Lake MOD Am. Birds 46:311

References

Grinnell, J., and Miller, A. H. 1944. The distribution of the birds of California. Pac. Coast Avif. 27.
McLean, D. D. 1937. Some additional records of birds for northeastern California. Condor 39:228-229.
Patten, M. A., and Heindel, M. T. 1994. Identifying Trumpeter and Tundra swans. Birding 26:306-318.
Schram, B. 1973. A Trumpeter Swan in southern California. West. Birds 4:111.