A Celebration of Swans

Swans in flight.

2024 is the 30th anniversary of A Celebration of Swans, the Yukon’s premier birding festival held annually during the month of April. Visit the Swan Haven Interpretive Centre to welcome spring and witness the mass migration of thousands of swans, ducks and geese.

More than 20 events are planned between April 1 and 30. All events are free and take place at the centre, unless otherwise noted. 

Scroll down for the events listing.

The bird situation, 2024

Check back for updates starting April 1.  

Festival poster

Every year a collectible poster is produced featuring an art piece that celebrates spring. Hundreds of these posters are distributed to communities across the Yukon.

Learn how to get a free copy of the poster.

Swan Haven Interpretive Centre

The Swan Haven Interpretive Centre opens April 1. It’s located at 58 Swan Haven Drive, Marsh Lake, in the North M'Clintock Bay subdivison.

Entry is free and free parking is available at the centre and along Swan Haven Drive.

The Swan Haven Interpretive Centre sits on the shore of M’Clintock Bay in Marsh Lake, where there is open water in early spring that waterbirds rely on to feed, rest and stay safe. Visit the centre to learn about bird migration with knowledgeable staff and hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibits. Then, walk along the shoreline trail to view (and hear) thousands of migrating swans, ducks and geese.

2024 hours of operation

Open daily from April 1 to 30.

Monday to Friday: 5 pm to 8 pm.

Saturday, Sunday and holidays (April 1): 10 am to 5 pm.

You are welcome to visit outside these hours to view the outdoor exhibits and access the shoreline walking trail.

Facilities

There is no waste disposal at Swan Haven so please pack out everything you bring with you.

Bring your own water; there is no running water on site.

Amenities:

  • 1 wheelchair-accessible outhouse/pit toilet
  • 1 non-accessible outhouse/pit toilet
  • Viewing decks
  • Shoreline walking trail (approximately 1 km, return)
  • Interpretive exhibits, outdoors
  • Picnic tables

There is no running water on site.

What to bring

  • Warm clothing and layers (temperatures vary widely in April).
  • Comfortable boots (expect snow, mud and ice).
  • Sunglasses, sun screen and a hat (the glare off the ice is strong).
  • Drinking water and snacks.

School visits

School programs have always been a large part of spring activities at Swan Haven. Hundreds of school children make the trip with their classes to participate in hands-on activities and games, in a spectacular outdoor classroom. 

These popular programs are available for Grades 2, 3 and 5 throughout April. These programs are provided in partnership with the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. Teachers and administrators, please visit their program page for details and teacher resources. Contact education@yukonwildlife.ca to book a visit.

Student art contest

Wildlife-themed art submissions (in any format) will be displayed at the Swan Haven Interpretive Centre in April. Winners will receive great prizes and their art will be displayed at the Whitehorse Public Library in May.

Entry deadline: March 28, 2024

Open to: Yukon students, grades 2 to 6

Submit to: Government of Yukon, 10 Burns Road, Box 2703 (V5R), Whitehorse, YT, Y1A 2C6

Events

All events are free and take place at the Swan Haven Interpretive Centre, unless otherwise noted. More events and registration information will be added soon.  

Wednesday, April 3

Spring birds of Swan Haven

Get ready for the return of the birds with this presentation by expert birder and photographer Jukka Jantunen. He will share identification and viewing tips for common spring birds seen at Swan Haven and around the Southern Lakes. Absorb all you can, then visit Swan Haven and impress your friends with your knowledge.

Time: 7 to 8:30 pm

Location: Yukon University, Whitehorse. Room A2206 (A-wing, upper floor). There is accessible parking at entrance 5. (View campus map).

Saturday, April 6

A starry night

Start your evening with an interpretive walk with Yukon Wildlife Viewing, followed by an indoor presentation about the night sky by the Yukon Astronomical Society. Then, as darkness falls, stay for a star-gazing party. Everyone is welcome from beginners to experts. Bring your own telescope or binoculars or use telescopes set up by volunteers from the society. Come for part of the evening or stay for the whole party. Bring a headlamp and dress warmly as you’ll be standing-still outdoors. 

7:30 pm: guided walk on the ice with Wildlife Viewing staff

8:30 pm: indoor planetary science presentation by the Yukon Astronomical Society

10:00 pm until late: outdoor star-gazing party

This event is open to audiences of every age. However, there is no specific children’s programming.

Wednesday, April 10

Sunset swan walk

Twilight often offers the best light for viewing and photographing birds at Swan Haven. Join Wildlife Viewing Program staff for an interpretive walk along the shore in the gloaming. Dress for the weather and footwear appropriate for walking on the ice.

Time: 7:30 pm

Audiences of all ages are welcome on this walk although it does not include specific children’s programming. It includes a long flight of stairs and an approximately 1 km (return) stroll along level but uneven snow and ice.

Thursday, April 11

Keychain-beading workshop

Join Montana and Delaney Prysnuk — Vuntut Gwich’in sisters, jewellery makers and founders of Copper Caribou—as they walk you through the process of beading a swan keychain on moosehide. The fee associated with this workshop covers the cost of materials. No experience necessary.

Registration is required as space is limited. Register by contacting Copper Caribou.

Time: 5:30-8 pm 

Cost: $35/person

Saturday, April 13

A spiritual celebration of swans

All are welcome to a gathering of different faith communities. This is a time of quiet reflection to express gratitude to the swans and the return of spring. There will be readings, discussions, meditations and song from Christian, Jewish, and Sikh faiths. Share in the celebration and then enjoy a beautiful morning at Swan Haven together. We will serve coffee and tea, and you are welcome to relax and watch the birds, ask questions, visit the centre or simply sit and reflect. You may wish to stay for an afternoon performance by the Tagish Nation Dancers.

Time: 10:00 to 10:30 am

This event will take place around a campfire outdoors, in front of the Swan Haven centre, so dress for sitting still in the chilly morning. Participants of all ages are welcome; access is a short walk over frozen gravel/ices patches on level ground. Seating available.

 

New Yukoner Day

New to the territory? Come to Swan Haven to experience an amazing spring phenomenon: the mass migration hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of birds. Join us for a guided walk along the shoreline trail to learn why so many birds gather in this spectacular place, and take in a special performance by the Tagish Nation Dancers (information below).

On this day only, the Yukon Energy Swan Bus offers a free return shuttle to Swan Haven. See details below. (The shuttle is free but advanced registration is required.)

Time: guided walks at 11 am and 2:30 pm

Audiences of all ages are welcome, but guided walks do not include children-specific programming.

 

Yukon Energy Swan Bus

This free shuttle offers return transportation from downtown Whitehorse to Swan Haven. Enjoy an afternoon at Marsh Lake during the spring swan migration and take in the day’s events.

Time: 12:30 pm departs Whitehorse; 4 pm departs Swan Haven

Location: downtown Whitehorse. The exact location will be provided upon registration. It will be accessible by public transit.

Thanks to sponsorship from Yukon Energy, this service is free for riders. Due to limited space, registration is required. (Registration opens noon one week prior.)

 

Tagish Nation Dancers

Celebrate the arrival of spring with an outdoor performance by the Tagish Nation Dancers. This traditional dance group, made up of members of Yukon First Nations, reminds us of the interconnections between the land, water and animals around us. 

Time: 1:30 pm. 

Sunday, April 14

Bird origami

Join the Japanese-Canadian Association of Yukon in a traditional way of celebrating wildlife: folding origami. Volunteer instructors will help you create beautiful, origami swans, cranes, and other critters to take home.

Time: Drop in anytime 1 to 3 pm

This activity is free and open to participants of all ages. There are simple creations for younger audiences and more complex instructions for those looking for a challenge.

Wednesday, April 17

Cake walk

This day marks the 30th anniversary of the Swan Haven Interpretive Centre and A Celebration of Swans. Join the Wildlife Viewing Program for a “cake walk”: an interpretive walk along the shore ice, followed by a slice of cake back at the centre.

Walk: 6:30 pm

Cake: 7:30 pm

This event is free and open to audiences of all ages, though no specific children’s programming is provided.

Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21

Family Weekend

The whole family is welcome to attend a day of swan watching and fun activities. We'll have games, crafts, bird viewing and more. Bring your own food or purchase lunch and/or baked goods next door at McClintock Bay Resort.

Time (Saturday and Sunday): 11 to 3 pm

On Saturday at 1 pm there will be an interactive musical performance with singer-songwriter Logan McKillop (information below).

ll activities are free and target younger audiences. Most stations are outdoors, so dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.

 

Live music: swan (and other animal) songs

Join folk/roots singer-songwriter Logan McKillop for a fun, all-ages outdoor show. Originally from Onanole, MB, Logan is equally skilled as a wordsmith and guitarist. He’s crafting a “swan song” especially for this performance, in addition to his repertoire about lynx, Grizzly Bear and Collared Pika.

Time: Saturday at 1 pm

This show takes place outdoors with limited seating and lots of standing room.

Tuesday, April 23

Bird banding and research

Counting birds and learning about their migratory patterns is important for the conservation of birds. Members of the Society of Yukon Bird Observatories (SOYBO) will demonstrate bird-banding techniques and explain what happens at the territory’s bird observatories. This may be your chance to see songbirds up close.

Time: 5:30 to 7:30 pm (drop-in) with a presentation at 7 pm

This event is free and will take place both inside and outside.

Wednesday, April 24

Senior’s tea

The Marsh Lake Community Society invites seniors and Elders to enjoy tea, coffee, sandwiches, homemade goodies and swan viewing. Come, mingle and enjoy!

Time: Drop in 1 to 4 pm

Cost: free

The first floor of Swan Haven Interpretive Centre can be accessed by a wooden boardwalk and ramp for improved mobility accessibility.

Saturday, April 27

Yoga and contemplative walk

Start your morning at Swan Haven with gentle stretching amidst the sounds of nature (which, when it comes to swans, can be quite loud!). Amber Berard-Althouse will lead a one-hour yoga class inside the centre, followed by a contemplative walk on the lake ice out to the swans. Bring your own yoga mat (BYOM).

Time: 9 – 11 am

Registration is required as space is limited. (Registration opens at noon one week prior.)

Watercolours workshop

M’Clintock Bay and its visiting waterbirds offer an inspiring setting. Artist Daphne Mennell will guide you through watercolour techniques as you create your own painting. All materials are provided and no experience is necessary. This event is free but registration is required as space is limited.

Time: 1 pm  

This event takes place outdoors so dress warmly for sitting at picnic tables while painting. It is accessible via a level, frozen gravel surface.

Registration opens at noon one week prior.

Tuesday, April 30

Brownie Mountain hike

This short but steep hike is also known as M’Clintock West Ridge. We’ll get an elevated view of Swan Haven and M’Clintock Bay in the lovely, evening light. Requires hiking 2 kilometres over very steep, uneven terrain (which could be snowy and/or muddy). We recommend bringing hiking poles and boots. Review trail and parking description at Yukonhiking.ca.

Time: 6:30 to 9 pm

Location: Meet at 10 Burns Road (Department of Environment building) to carpool and caravan to the trailhead at Marsh Lake. Involves an approximately 30-minute drive (one-way).

May 5

Dagay (swan) walk

Bring your lunch to Kluane and enjoy a guided walk with Diyet, who grew up on the ancestral lands of the Kluane First Nation. Learn about the dagay (swans) of Jèdàlį (head of the river) and enjoy a cup of hot tea and bannock at the end of the day. Warm layers and rubber boots are strongly recommended. Registration is required so we can share additional information related to this event. If travelling from Whitehorse this is a long day but worth the trip to say goodbye to the swans for another season.

 Time: 12 noon to 4 pm

Location: Burwash Landing (approximately three hours from Whitehorse/one hour from Haines Junction). Meet at the Kluane Museum of History. From there, we’ll carpool to an area nearby.

This event is free but registration is required so we can share last-minute information about the event if needed. Audiences of all ages are invited to participate. Involves walking about 3 km down an old dirt road and along the mudflats, with minimal elevation change. 

Registration is required. (Registration opens noon one week prior.)

May

Shorebird walk

At a certain point in spring, we say goodbye to migrating swans and hello to shorebirds including sandpipers, snipes, yellowlegs and godwits. Birding expert Jukka Jantunen will sort it all out during a short walk and talk.Rubber boots are highly recommended.

Time: Sometime in the first two weeks of May, depending on the speed of spring melt and arrival of shorebirds. We’ll update this before the end of April.

Location: TBD based on spring melt and bird sightings but we will likely meet near Swan Haven or the Lewes River Bridge.

Registration is required so we can share event-specific information. (Registration opens at noon one week prior.)

Contact: 

For questions about A Celebration of Swans and wildlife viewing events, email wildlife.viewing@yukon.ca or phone: 867-667-8291 or toll free in Yukon: 1-800-661-0408, ext. 8291.