One of the most wonderful birds of our earthly world recently lingered at the Valentine Mill Pond. It was an adult Trumpeter Swan that was present for a few days from October 23rd to 27th. During its daily routine it walked about on sandy flats or stood in shallow waters just west of the pond pier. This occurrence is significant because this great swan was an adult and alone. Trumpeter Swan do not typically occur alone. They mate for life, and are very dedicated to their family. Perhaps this adult bird lost its mate and the Mill Pond was a mourning place?
The occurrence of this bird was the fifth time this species has been known to occur at the pond in the past three years. While this beautiful bird continues to survive, it has been a wonder of nature notably enjoyed at the suitable habitat of the mill pond, along with the several Canada Goose, some transitory gabbling Gadwall amidst the pondweed and a Greater Yellowlegs busy in its foraging. At least my looking around meant the Pied-billed Grebe was seen on its day. A special sighting also during the weekend was a dark-phase Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tree that was not pleased with my hiking about intrusion amidst nature lands, and then a bit later, soaring above in a cerulean autumn sky was another bird wonder, a juvenile Golden Eagle.
A swan was once again present on the morning of November 1.