Swans land at Beemer’s Pond
Migratory birds make annual pit stop near Webster CityBy EMILIE NELSON, Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
WEBSTER CITY - Webster City's location often makes the community a common stop for travelers making their way across the state, but it's also a highly utilized stop for a population of a different kind - trumpeter swans .
Beemer's Pond, just west of the Webster City airport, has become known as the trumpeter swan wintering capital of Iowa, attracting hundreds of the large waterfowl each winter, Ron Andrews, trumpeter swan restoration coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said.
"Our maximum count out here was at 150 swans," Andrews said.
During the annual Hamilton County Conservation Board's Swan Soiree Saturday afternoon participants had the opportunity to learn about the swans during a presentation at the Hamilton County Conservation office at Brigg's Woods and then make their way to Beemer's Pond to get an up-close look at the trumpeter swans which make the pond their winter home.
Ty Scheuerman, of Story City, came to the presentation for the first time Saturday where he learned a few new facts about the swans.
"They told us they come from as many as 15 states," he said.
For Cassie Berglund, of Dayton, the event was her first look at the swans.
"I've never been this close to one before," 7-year-old Berglund said.
Shirley Stahl. of Webster City, was on hand for the soiree, feeding the swans and answering questions for the 15 people who made their way to the pond. Stahl is one of the primary caretakers of the birds as they make their way through Hamilton County, venturing out into the cold and ice a few times a day to check the aerators and feed the swans.
She has been working with the swan project since the first pair of permanent swans was placed at Beemer's Pond 15 years ago. Her father first got her involved with the project.
"My dad was a great teacher," she said of learning to care for the swans.
Some of the swans are tagged, making them easy to track as regular visitors each year, Stahl said.
"Some them are tagged, coming from Wisconsin where they nest along the Mississippi River and a few of them come from up around Algona and Clear Lake," she said. "Tagging isn't something we do, anymore, though.
According to Stahl, only one pair of trumpeter swans remain at the pond year-round. The rest are wild.
Stahl said she enjoys the responsibility of caring for the swans and making sure they have enough to eat each day.
"I usually come out here about three times a day," she said. "I'll come feed them and bring my paper to read and just watch and listen to them. They're noisy as can be at night."
Stahl said the swans begin showing up in November and stay until mid-March.
"They're here for the open water and feed," said Stahl. "Come March, they'll all be gone until next winter."
Andrews said Beemer's Pond is a hidden attraction more people should know about.
"This is the swan wintering capital of Iowa," he said. "It's a neat draw this time of year, but not everyone is aware that it's here. I'd like to see some signs along Highway 20 or the interstate someday letting people know this is here."
Contact Emilie Nelson at (515) 573-2141 or enelson@messengernews.net
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Anderson
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01-31-10 9:28 AM
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And what a shame it was that the pair on the Moorland pond lost all FIVE of their cygnets last summer to those nets and who knows what predators. I hope those nets have been dispensed with and fences are maintained properly this time around.
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