Frank Lake is a hub of activity for migrating birds at this time of year, but it can also be a dangerous and deadly place for them too.

The Lake itself and area surrounding it are criss-crossed by power lines, which cause a fair number of birds to be killed every year.

High River Biologist Greg Wagner says seeing dead birds like Trumpeter Swans isn't an everyday occurrence, but regular enough.

"We get several kills every year. I know I've found several carcasses of swans around the lake this year. And it's hard to put a cause to that mortality. However this bird today (Monday) was quite obviously under the power lines and that's what got it."

Wagner says power lines in the region are fact of life, he'd just like to see more being done to try to protect these migratory species.

High River Biologist Greg Wagner inspects the carcasse of a Trumpeter Swan found dead under the power lines near Frank Lake. Wagner says he'd like to see both the Province and Alta-Link do all they can to help keep these kind of things from happening. Photo - Russell Skeet.

"There has been a lot of development in recent years with reflectors and things like that. The problem with birds, like Trumpeter Swans are that they are heavy wing-loading and don't have much manoeuvrability. So, if it's dark or they get in a fog and they come upon something. They'll run into something because they can't move out of the way."

Wagner says the power lines usually claim a number of larger birds each spring and fall, along with a few more smaller birds, usually the migratory ducks and geese that frequent the lake.