Date: 6/2/25 7:37 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Monday, June 2, 2025 Trumpeter Swan Update
Monday, June 2, 2025 Trumpeter Swan Update
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 4:45 am, sunset 11:09 pm, for a total day length of 18 hours and 24 minutes. Tomorrow will be 3 minutes and 0 seconds longer.
Cool spring temps with a low of 38 and a high of 44 continue with scattered rain showers and a southerly breeze.
Every few days, I check on the nesting TRUMPETER SWANS at Mile 1, Nash Road. The female (penn) has been diligently sitting on her eggs through rain, wind, and chilly temperatures for the past month. A few times on warmer days, I observed her rise and carefully use her bill to cover her precious family with vegetation. Then, she eased over the side of the nest into the nearby water, and paddled straight for the water horsetails on the edge of the pond. She must get very hungry!
Meanwhile, the male (cobb) luxuriated in eating, preening, and napping whenever and wherever he likes, while keeping a sharp eye out for intruders, of course!
On May 27, I happened to arrive just as he took off from the pond. I leapt out of my car to watch and photograph his flight. He ponderously flapped his wings and slapped his giant black webbed feet on the surface, then rose and circled around the pond. He didn’t go far and soon descended with a waterski splash to the smaller pond on the east side of the road and grabbed some salad.
After a short while, he paddled to the far end of the pond, bugled, and again revved his engine for takeoff. My heart was in my throat as he gained altitude, abruptly veering upwards past the first row of high-voltage power line wires, and then the next set. I was so relieved when he finally cleared the menacing and deadly wires and landed safely back on the other pond.
A 25-pound Swan who falls after hitting power lines, has little to no chance of surviving the crash, even if he is not electrocuted.
On May 31, I was surprised to hear a “honk!” and find seven Trumpeter Swans flying in a ragged line at the head of the bay. They landed but soon took off. The leading pair of adults few right overhead on their way to the edge of the low tide, followed by two more adults and three year-old cygnets. After a short while, the pair again took off, trailed closely by the other five.
The beautiful Swans flew in an ever-widening circle around the valley becoming smaller and smaller until they disappeared. Where did they come from, and where did they go? More mysteries to ponder.
Today, the penn was still sitting on her nest. I’m excited to see how many cygnets will pop out this year…four like last year? Seven? The answer will be revealed soon!
