In 1982, Wildlife officers brought
two injured and abused Mute Swans to Frank Trampus, Woodlake resident, for care. The Trampuses had fenced in a area down into
the lake as a safe haven for swans they has owned previously.
Frank
hand fed Lyda (a “pen”) and Gabriel (a “cob”), nursed their wounds, and kept them safely penned until
they recovered. When they were set free, the swans chose to remain right there.
Since
then, Lyda and Gabriel, and their offspring, have graced Woodlake with unsurpassed charm.
Three
babies (cygnets) survived in 1993, one male and two females. In 1995, again, three cygnets survived, two male and one female.
There sic, now mature, offspring have also remained at Woodlake.
By
1996, two of the 1993 offspring had paired and tried to nest back near the old homestead, but Lyda and Gabriel kept chasing
them away (even through their own eggs this year were infertile). For this reason, by the time the young pair selected a nesting
site (at the end of Cedar Point), they were late inbreeding. Cygnets are normally born in mid-May. This new family was not
born until June 19. Again, three cygnets survived. As of this writing, this family has remained in that basic area.
Both
swans build the nest. Only when the pen is satisfied with the nest will she mate with the cob. Usually, between three and
seven eggs are laid (Lyda usually lays eight). They are laid at two-day intervals with incubation starting with the last egg,
and taking about 35 days. The young are downy and grey when born; gradually change to brown feathers, then to white when full
grown.
Mute
Swans are a docile breed, though parents of young are very protective. All mature swans lose their feathers (molt) near the
end of July. Frank explained to me that this is nature’s way of making sure Mom and Dad stay close to their babies (that
do no not have their own ability to fly). In the fall, the babies get “flying feathers,” and Mom and Dad, and
off the other swans, get new full feathers. The cob begins to force the young out on their own when they are about a year
old. That is when they need to find a “territory” of their own.
Frank
is currently working with a veterinarian in Raleigh to determine the best way to regulate future matings
and population control.
Swans
love to eat hydrilla. It is fun to watch parents teach their young to do the same. I feed them deer corn and Ol’ Roy
dog food from Wal-Mart (wish I owned stock in it). Frank prefers “laying pellets” which can be purchased at Edwards
Hardware in Vass. He said the babies love lettuce. Bread is fine, too. Of course, be sure whatever you feed them is fresh
and not moldy. I try to feed only the swans, and do not throw handfuls of food out which also attract those pesky turtles
that annoy the swans (and me!). Frank has designated a feeder that has to sit up on land, but keeps ducks and turtles from
eating. He will be happy to advise any residents that wish to help feed and care for the swans. Swans have become an important
part of what is special about Woodlake. It is hoped that they will be treated with love and respect by all.
-----Special
thanks to Frank for the “inside information” for this article, and especially for sharing the beauty and elegance
of the eight mature and three precious new baby swans on the lake.
SWANS ON THE
LAKE
Reprinted from the
July 1996 Issue of REFLECTIONS
