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snorkelady | profile | all galleries >> Memories of Dagobah >> The Birds at Dagobah >> The Trumpeter Swans (2006 - 2018) >> 2011 Trumpeter Swans return to raise 4 cygnets (hatched 5). tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

2011 Trumpeter Swans return to raise 4 cygnets (hatched 5).

Last year it seemed that the pair of trumpeter swans were unsuccessful at producing offspring.
In the early spring of 2011, there were 3 pairs of trumpeter swans in the SE section of the marsh, two pairs were close and the third pair could be seen with a scope. There was a great deal of fuss created by the 3 pairs and as soon as they saw us on the viewing platform, they were quiet (until we left :).

Note: During the Christmas break, we saw 5 TS's flying overhead, calling loudly. The day after we had a snowfall and observed a lone TS on the road. The road sander approached it slowly and the swan flew away in a southerly direction.
March 20, 2011: The first pair to arrive
March 20, 2011: The first pair to arrive		 March 27, 2011: A turf war ... squatter's rights
March 27, 2011: A turf war ... squatter's rights		 The second pair weren't budging .. they were ~ 20 feet away from the 'ice' pair
The second pair weren't budging .. they were ~ 20 feet away from the 'ice' pair		 The third pair were further north
The third pair were further north
April 16th: a peaceful end. Appears to have climbed up onto a tiny island and died
April 16th: a peaceful end. Appears to have climbed up onto a tiny island and died		 The secluded pond that can be seen from the trail
The secluded pond that can be seen from the trail		 June 4, 2011: There are 5 cygnets in the SE corner of marsh ... perhaps a week old
June 4, 2011: There are 5 cygnets in the SE corner of marsh ... perhaps a week old		 One cygnet had a tough time keeping up with its parents and siblings
One cygnet had a tough time keeping up with its parents and siblings
July 15, 2011
July 15, 2011 		July 24, 2011: They, crossed the road to feed in the creek ... east of the laneway. There are 4 cygnets.
July 24, 2011: They, crossed the road to feed in the creek ... east of the laneway. There are 4 cygnets.		 August 1, 2011: They are back! They have crossed the road to feed in the creek, west of the laneway
August 1, 2011: They are back! They have crossed the road to feed in the creek, west of the laneway		 They saw us on the platform, yet continued to swim towards us until they were ~ 5 feet from the laneway.
They saw us on the platform, yet continued to swim towards us until they were ~ 5 feet from the laneway.
g4/29/471129/3/139844045.JugF6Qo1.jpg Nov 20th: 2 adults and 4 cygnets fly into the marsh .....
Nov 20th: 2 adults and 4 cygnets fly into the marsh .....		 They will likely hang around until the creek freezes ** see note**
They will likely hang around until the creek freezes ** see note**
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