Celebration of Swans Image 2008 - Watercolour by Stephanie Ryan

Celebration of Swans

Yukon's premiere bird festival Celebration of

Swans brings residents and visitors alike

out to great swan viewing areas to welcome spring to the north, arriving on the wings of the Trumpeter Swans. Taking place during the third week of April each year, Celebration of Swans events include area birding tours, the family activity weekend, bird identification and photography workshops, art exhibits, storytelling, guest speakers from different parts of the swans' flyway, contests, and good, peaceful swan watching opportunities around southern Yukon. Keep an eye our for the 'swan flyer' schedule of events in your mailbox early April.

At Swan Haven, join a viewing walk with interpreters and find out how the migration is unfolding, learn to watercolour or photograph, or relax on a viewing deck. Inside you'll find interpretive displays and information about the birds found here in the spring. Don't forget to vote for your favorite piece of children's art!

Each community with spring swan areas nearby hosts events to celebrate their return. Take in storytelling in Tagish, or attend workshops and presentations about swans, wetlands and other spring birds in Whitehorse. Go for a swan viewing walk at the end of Kluane Lake, near Burwash Landing. See how Yukon artists relate with wildlife at the Marsh Lake Community Centre. You can also pick up this year's swan poster at locations around Yukon.

Over this 9-day period visitors flock to the bay, making the Celebration of Swans the largest birding event in Yukon. Approximately 10% of Yukoners make their way to Marsh Lake each year to see this spring spectacle.

School programs have always been a large part of spring activities out at Swan Haven. Hundreds of school children make the trip with their classes to participate in activities and games interpreters put on for them, to give them some hands-on learning in a spectacular outdoor classroom. Each year interpreters receive school groups between grades 2 and 6, and a child visiting year after year learns something new each time.

To find out more about Swan Haven Interpretation Centre, swan data and how to book a visit with your class our public group, click here or contact the Wildlife Viewing Program.

Calling all artists and art lovers...

Each year a call for submissions is sent out for the Celebration of Swans collectable poster image and the wildlife art exhibit at Marsh Lake.

The winning poster artist will receive broad promotion of their work through this web page, the poster and events pamphlet distribution, 20 personal copies and an optional private guided tour of Swan Haven.

Poster art image submission deadline in 2008 was February 6th.

Exhibit proposal submission deadline in 2008 was March 28th.

See how Yukon artists relate with wildlife at the Marsh Lake Community Centre. You can also pick up this year's swan poster at locations around Yukon.

To find out how to submit your artwork, view the following pdfs:

Call for Submissions: Celebration of Swans Image 2008 (54 KB) and

Call for Submissions: Community Wildlife Art Exhibit (34 KB).

For more information, contact Yukon's Wildlife Viewing Program .