As it turns out the Trumpet of the Swan is quite loud. Especially when there are over 100 swans honking at you! If you have never been to see the Trumpeter Swans on Magness Lake in Heber Springs, Arkansas you are missing out on something AMAZING!
Check out this video. It’s a little long but watch a little and you will get the idea!
In 1992 three lonely swans wound up on Magness Lake after, according to scientists, they were blown off course from their normal migration pattern due to a major storm that forced them further south than they normally travel. Since their return from near-extinction in the 1930’s(with a world-wide population of less than 100) Trumpeter Swans are normally found in the northwestern and northcentral regions of the North American continent with the largest population being in Alaska. The swans typically migrate to the pacific region of the US and usually not further south than Colorado.
Perry Linder, who owned the land in 1992, was likely excited to see the birds but probably assumed when they left in February that that was the last he would see of them. Yet in November of 1993 the birds returned and brought along some friends! The Swans, which mate for life and travel in family groups, continue to return yearly and their numbers have increased to well over 100.
The Swans typically arrive around Thanksgiving and stay until about Valentines day when they return to their summer home in Minnesota. Visitors are welcome at the E & W Wildlife Refuge and are even encouraged to bring along clean shelled corn to feed to the swans, geese and ducks that live on the 30 acre oxbow lake.
The E & W Wildlife Refuge is located at 544 Hays Rd. in Heber Springs, Arkansas.
