POPULATION STATUS AND REPRODUCTIVE-BIOLOGY OF THE MUTE SWAN, CYGNUS-OLOR, AT LONG POINT, LAKE ERIE, ONTARIO

During 1991 - 1992, a study of the population status and breeding biol ogy of the Mute Swan, Cygnus olor, was carried out at Long Point, Lake Erie. Thirty-one pairs with broods were located, 9 in 1991, 22 in 199 2. Brood size ranged from 2 to 10, with 4 and 5 being the most frequen t. Brood size averaged 4.9 at hatching and 3.1 at fledging, a value wh ich compares with that of rapidly expanding populations in Europe. Aer ial surveys in fall at Long Point revealed a peak total of 148 in 1991 and 172 in 1992, an increase of 14 %. A high proportion of ''Polish'' morph juveniles were detected.