Last week, Greg and I took a drive to Magness Lake east of town to see the trumpeter swans. These swans have migrated from northern states to this little man-made lake each winter for nearly 15 years. We've been going to see them for over a decade. In early years there were just a handful - maybe less than a dozen. Last Wednesday, I counted 71, and the sign says there have been more than 100 sighted. We also saw Canada geese, ducks, and off in the trees, Greg spotted a couple of bald eagles.
The lake and surrounding property have sold in recent years to a family who is continuing the work of the previous owner, Perry Linder, to welcome these swans. Many improvements have been made, including the construction of a parking lot and fencing to separate people from the lake and the waterfowl. The sign says that it is acceptable to feed corn to the swans, and there were people doing just that the day we were there. Many had a big bucket of corn, probably purchased at the farmers supply store, and several children were pressed to the fence tossing in the corn.
The sign says the swans should be here until around Valentine's Day, so if you have a chance, get out and see them. You won't be disappointed!
