Elinor Osborn

Project UltraSwan is the compelling account of how scientists worked to teach endangered trumpeter swans their migration route, after adult swans had passed away and the route was lost. Osborn explains in coherent fashion the origin of the swans, how the scientists became involved, and the account of the journey. The story itself is engaging, and Osborn does a capable job of giving background, and explaining the process, while moving the story along appropriately.

I had no prior knowledge of show more the topic, but I finished the book eager to learn more about trumpeter swans, as well as to read more books in the Scientists in the Field series. I was skeptical when this book was recommended to me, but sold after having read it. It is complex enough for an older audience, yet clear and direct for middle school students as well. I used it as a hook in my classroom to introduce a project about flight, and it was generally well received by my high schoolers. show less

This specialized book is an exciting story of how humans taught migratory route to a group of Trumpeter Swans. The swans were nearly exterminated as they were hunted down for their meat and feathers by the early colonists. However new treaties and laws prohibited their killing, thereby saving a few. These birds that were saved did not knew the migratory routes and therefore it was up to the humans to teach the young swans to migrate. Inspired with the work of Dr. Bill Lishman, who taught a show more group of geese to migrate, Gavin Shire and a group of dedicated scientists and volunteer undertake the important task of teaching the swans to migrate. The book describes the difficulties they face and how they overcame them to attain their objective.
One could ask the question, why it is necessary to teach the swans how to migrate? after all we were successful in saving them.To explain this point, the author uses the example of mute swans. These swans do not migrate, thereby destroying the habitat in which they live.
The book is filled with scientific terminology like molt, preening, procial, altricial, imprinting as well as their explanation. it also gives information on the three kinds of swans found in America as well as the places where they can be found. The pictures accompanying the text are brilliant and colorful, and give a glimpse of how field scientists work. The book can be used for young adults to teach the role of migration in our ecosystems. show less

Project UltraSwan is an attempt by scientists to reintroduce trumpeter swans into parts of their natural habitats on the east coast and teach them to follow migration patterns. Nearly exterminated by hunters after the colonists came to America, the trumpeter swans have been missing from the east coast of America for a long time. They're slowly making a comeback in western North America, but since swans learn their migration routes from their relatives, these routes have now been lost. Using show more an ultralight aircraft, scientists are attempting to teach the swans migration routes.

The Scientists in the Field books have been very hit or miss with me and this one was a miss. Although I found the subject matter somewhat interesting, the project seems to be in the beginning stages and a book about it seems a little premature. I did learn about scientists that I knew nothing about and I think this title would certainly appeal to the young ornithologists in our midst. It's well-researched and includes information about the different kinds of swans, what their feathers look like and do, and what people have been doing to help regenerate the trumpeter swan population. I'd definitely recommend this for units on endangered species, but maybe not so much for recreational reading. show less

Project Ultraswan details the attempts of scientists to teach tundra swans unknown east North American migration routes. Swans became extinct within these migration routes and are being reintroduced via an ultralight aircraft. The book contains a lot of information on trumpeter swans, but there is not much information on results of Project Ultraswan because it is early. Lots of questions will be answered once more data show significant population increases as a result of the effort. Allows show more an opportunity for students to hypothesize about the success of the project and some variables that may alter the outcome either way. Another good read from Scientists in the Field. show less