Great question! Swans and migratory birds try to migrate south, however, migratory stop-overs (wetland feeding and resting areas until they get to their designated sites) or their final winter feeding grounds determine how far the swans have to travel. If a man-made or natural disaster (drought, pollution, development, flood, etc.) affects the natural food or water resources at the stop-over or winter feeding grounds, their course could change. Typically, swans migrate from New York to the Chesapeake Bay or as far south as North or South Carolina.

Migration is also dependent upon learned migratory paths. So, various species, Trumpeters, Mutes and Tundras may have a slight different route due to the course that their parents have taught them. Additionally, if a swan gets separated from the rest of the migratory flock, they can find themselves in places that they normally would not migrate. Single swans (specifically Tundra) have been found as far south as Northern Florida/Southern Georgia. The Regal Swan