“So sorry, this female is taken, this lake is taken” might be the gentler way to handle this, but swans don’t really go in for gentle hints. Rather, at the first fly over of any other swans, this pair, first the male, then the female, puff those wings up in what is always a lovely sight, but definitely portends trouble.
The first interloper this week was a lone male, probably a young one, not yet mated, and he defiantly seemed to be making a pass at this female on the pond, which also is probably young. When I first arrived here in August, she was alone herself. I went away for 10 days and came back to find a suitor had arrived and been accepted. I don’t know if it is typical for young swans to try and steal another’s mate. They do generally mate for life, but who knows, maybe there is a trial period or maybe this male just had a lot of audacity.
At any rate, the reigning male would have none of it. First the high-speed, wings-up, charge
followed by a race along the surface as he gained speed, and then the aerial chase. Wow, it was something. Wings beating the air noisily, sharp turns as he chased the male one way and another. All under the watchful eye of the young lady in question who also kept her wings fluffed up and stayed true to her man. The vanquished male finally took the hint and hasn’t reappeared since. Swans do mate for life, although there are occasional separations, but the human divorce rate is far higher then the swans, so perhaps she has made her choice and will be true to “till death do we part”.A few days later, not a lone male, but a pair arrived, one of which still had some gray in its plumage.
Probably another young couple looking for a place to call their own until the ice arrived. They landed on the far side of the lake. Instantly the resident pair went into action. Up went the wings and it was clear this wasn’t the Welcome Wagon arriving.
The new pair lifted off, flew to the far side but that wasn’t good enough. The huffy swans were heading their way and without arguing further the new pair left, continuing their search elsewhere.
And you see, that is the trouble with swans. I know I have written about this before, that they are an invasive species here in the US. Europe is their home, but they were brought here to look fetching on some rich person’s estate and now we have zillions of them. Because they are so territorial, even more so during breeding season, our local waterfowl are often driven off. The display I saw this week exemplifies what goes on in the ponds in spring and it seems, to some degree in the fall too.
I am guessing here, but I suppose a larger lake like this, and it is really more like a large pond, is preferred to the many kettle hole ponds that exist on the Cape for it probably won’t freeze up as quickly. Once winter has really set in, and all the fresh water is frozen, these swans will congregate far more amiably on the salt marshes and estuaries.
Last year we must have seen 100 swans on an estuary in Mashpee. As I write this there is mist curling over the water brought on by a cold night and the swans are right in front of me and seem intent on sleeping in. The small trio of Grebes is diving close to them but the swans barely raise their heads. Ring necked ducks and Buffleheads don’t raise the eyebrow either. Perhaps in the fall they are just intent on keeping other swans who might compete for their food, off the lake.
Well, I am supposed to be on the road to Baltimore for Thanksgiving with my family. Better close up the computer and get a move on. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and may the blessings of this beautifully created world, free for those who chose to see it, be yours now and always.
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