Sweet Marsh Outbreak Update

Late this morning I checked on the outbreak at Sweet Marsh. Following are a few thoughts…

Concerning Observations:

With the cold snap we are in, there is considerably less open water around Sweet Marsh for waterfowl. As a result, once again the Canada geese, mallards, a gadwall, and trumpeter swans are being forced to congregate in an ever-shrinking area of open water. With close contact comes the opportunity for the rapid spread of disease.

On the Wapsipinicon River I found a group of three geese that would not fly, but were still able to swim slowly away from me as I walked the opposite shoreline. I observed the geese “taking several drinks” where they let the water run off their bills. Their behavior was abnormal and not indicative of healthy birds.

Optimistic Observations:

I found the gadwall and it still appears healthy.

Many trumpeter swans were flying and those on the water were still moving normally.

Many Canada geese were also flying.

Confusing Observation:

From an aerial point-of-view (much higher than this picture) I saw this bright white spot and was concerned I had found a dead trumpeter swan. By zooming into the area I promptly recognized I was fooled by a “dead swan-shaped” ice bubble. How was ice formed like this, and why here of all places?