Swans hurting Presquile marshes

Brighton council has major concerns with a bird known for its majestic beauty.

At Monday’s meeting council voted to ask the federal government to remove the Mute Swan from the list of protected species to allow population control.

Biologist Doug McRae said the winter population of Mute Swans in Presqu’ile Bay is close to 1,000 birds and there are dozens of breeding pairs.

McRae told council 50 years ago Presqu’ile Bay’s marshes teemed with countless plant, fish, animal, and bird species but the exploding population of the large and aggressive swans beginning in the 1990’s has changed things much for the worse.

“Between their breeding behaviour and their denuding of the aquatic plant community that they feed on Mute Swans have had a severe impact on the quality of our precious wetland and all of the species that depends on this ecosystem.”

McRae gave examples on who or what is affected by an over-population of the swans.

“this affects hunting, it affects fishing, it affects eco-tourism and of course biodiversity. Introduced species in general are one of the greatest environmental threats we face in trying to maintain healthy biodiverse environments.”

In New Jersey government authorities almost completely removed Mute Swans from Chesapeake Bay out of concern for the ecosystem.

McRae said population control measures range from mild such as egg oiling to hamper reproductive success to more lethal methods.

The swans are not native to Canada but were imported from Europe in the late 1800’s for ornamental use in private ponds, public parks and zoos.

Also part of the motion passed by council Monday was a request that the Canadian Heraldic Authority remove the Mute Swan from Brighton’s Coat of Arms and replace it with a suitable native species.

See the entire motion passed by Brighton council Monday March 25 2024 below.

Moved by Councillor Emily Rowley

Seconded by Councillor Byron Faretis

Whereas, Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) are an introduced species in North America, originally brought from Europe in the late 19th century;

And Whereas, Mute Swans have established large populations in various regions of Canada, including the Brighton area and Presqu’ile Bay;

And Whereas, Mute Swans can have significant negative impacts on ecosystems, displacing native waterfowl, consuming aquatic vegetation, and contributing to water quality issues;

And Whereas, The current protected status of Mute Swans under the Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA) limits management options available to address these negative impacts;

And Whereas, Local communities, such as Brighton, are bearing the brunt of the negative consequences of Mute Swan populations;

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That Brighton Council urges the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada to consider removing Mute Swans from the list of protected species, allowing for controlled population management in areas where they are causing significant ecological and economic harm, particularly in and around Presqu’ile Bay;

And Further That Council directs staff to petition the Canadian Heraldic Authority to change Brighton’s Coat of Arms from the invasive Mute Swans to a native species;

And Further That this resolution be forwarded to the Honourable Steven Gilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Phil Lawrence, Member of Parliament for Northumberland-Peterborough South.