Seward, Alaska
I checked the Nash Road wetlands on Monday, June 29 and only saw two adult TRUMPETER SWANS, hanging out on the nest site. Tall vegetation may have hidden the nearby cygnets. A single adult Swan fed quietly far to the side of the pond.
The massive weekend eviction of the five unwelcome two-year olds must have been an incredible battle, given the ineffectiveness of all previous attempts. Wish I had witnessed it!
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday drive-bys and quick checks failed to find or count cygnets. The casual behavior of the Swan pair was not normal for parents; no adorable babies paddling close by, no watchful guarding with them bookended front and rear, no careful guidance to the choicest water horsetails or tidbits raised from the deep. I became worried.
Today, I stopped and really searched for those precious babies. Still, just three adults: one swan fed on the far side of the pond, the pair claimed the main center section.
On this hot sunny day, one enjoyed a very thorough and serious bath. Huge black webbed feet stabbed the air and wings flailed underwater as the undignified Swan soaked upside down. Then flipped back upright to flap one wing underwater then the other. Head and neck dips, tail shimmies, stretches, shakes, fluffs, you name it. That Swan must have been happily soaked to the skin! Eventually, the pair retreated to the nest site to preen and stretch together. No sign of the cygnets eagerly waiting there either.
The Swans seemed to be on vacation, relaxing, taking a spa, paddling leisurely without a care in the world. I don’t even know if they are the parents. Who is that third Swan? Who drove off who?
This entire time, I did not see any cygnets. I can only hope they were happily feeding independently in the vegetation, but fear something tragic has happened. Sure hope I am wrong.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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