The Johnson DeBay Swan Reserve opened to the public February 4, 2000. The official dedication was Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001. This area is wheelchair friendly with special parking spaces for those with Disabled Parking Permits.
PETS MUST REMAIN IN THE VEHICLE.
Hours: About 8:00 a.m until dusk.
During the next two weeks you can expect to see: hundreds of trumpeter swans, a few tundra swans, Canada geese, up to tens of thousands of ducks of several species including mallards and pintails. Bald eagles, Northern harrier and Cooper's hawk are common raptors. Song birds of many varieties and much more are possible during this time of year.
The crops on the island where the swans are feeding: The majority of the area is in corn, grown specifically for the birds and knocked down about Jan. 21 (after hunting season). Toward the far side of the reserve you may note a green area, this crop is potatoes (used mostly prior to the corn being knocked down).
You may want to bring binoculars or a spotting scope, and wear warm clothing.
DIRECTIONS TO THE JOHNSON DEBAY SWAN RESERVE
The area is Northeast of Mt. Vernon, Washington.
Go on I-5 to Mt. Vernon. Take the COLLEGE WAY EXIT.
Turn EAST on College Way (if driving northbound I-5 turn right on College Way. If driving southbound, turn left on College Way)
Go to LaVenture, Turn LEFT (traffic light, Skagit Valley Community College on corner).
Follow this road and it will drop down into the valley. Be sure to obey the speed limit signs.
At the bottom of the hill as you come to the valley floor the speed changes to 50mph. From this speed sign it is about 3.1 miles to the Reserve.
Turn LEFT on DeBay Isle Road. This road is located at the beginning of a major right bend in the main road. If you miss the left turn, go straight into a gravel parking lot and turn around - DeBay Isle Road adjoins this intersection.
Go on the dike road to a gate.
The Reserve is open to the public every day. Please remember that even if the gates are closed you may still park in the outer lot and walk around the gate to bird within the Reserve.
Volunteers are currently opening the gates about 8:00 a.m and closing them again at dusk. Currently the gate is opened only on weekends. This may change in January. (The reason for the gate to be opened and closed daily is to prevent garbage dumping and vandalism at the site. This has been an on-going problem at this site. Gate closure at night has greatly reduced the problem.)
