As one who has done a lot of work over the many years trying to help those
trumpeter swans at Scio and Parker,
we do not know what happened to this latest family.
I am pretty sure the male of the nesting pair was killed. His body floated
in the NE pond for almost a week.
After calling the MDNR a couple of times about it, I think they may have
removed the body.
But, that left the female alone with her cygnets. I fully understood that
if any made it to fledge, it would be a miracle.
And yet, similar miracles have happened there before.
In reality, very soon after the male died, the number of babies dropped
from seven to four. Then, Mama and her babies disappeared entirely and
have not been seen for several days, today being June 9th. It doesn't look
good. If a predator took Mama, there is no way the babies could survive
very long thereafter. BUT, we have not seen any evidence of her being
killed. Sigh.
It just sucks. It is heartbreaking and depressing.
Along with the successes, which are terrific, we have also had so many
losses at Swan Corners.
It's great habitat for Trumpeters, but one of the most dangerous places
imaginable for swans to raise their young.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jacques Mersereau
On Mon, Jun 9, 2025 at 3:48 PM Dody Wyman <dody...> wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
>
> When I drive into Ann Arbor I frequently go by the intersection of Parker
> and Scio Church where the two ponds are that the Trumpeters have been using
> for the last umpteen years.
>
> This year doesn’t seem like it’s a good one for them. I first watched
> sitting on the nest, then no more sitting, then only one swan. Anyone know
> what’s going on?
>
> I’m sorry if this has been discussed. I don’t always get all the posts..
>
> Dody
>
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