Migratory geese, swans could number 1 million in Klamath Basin

Wildlife officials say tundra swans and snow geese already number 440,000 in the Klamath Basin and could reach the 1 million mark in a few weeks.

Wildlife officials say tundra swans and snow geese already number 440,000 in the Klamath Basin and could reach the 1 million mark in a few weeks.

The influx is a part of seasonal migration patterns for the waterfowl.

Aerial surveys taken two weeks apart in previous seasons indicate the steep increase is just beginning.

Experts say the birds are more numerous because of hard winter conditions. Some other migratory sites remain frozen over.

People can see the concentrations of birds along Stateline Road near Merrill and Tulelake or by driving designated auto tour routes on the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake refuges.