The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is the largest species of native North American waterfowl and is the heaviest native bird living on our continent. It is a long-lived social species, conspicuous by its large size, all-white plumage, and trumpet-like call. This swan’s primary breeding grounds are in central Alaska and northwestern Canada, where it nests on a variety of freshwater marshes, ponds, and small lakes. Several smaller populations nest in limited areas in the northern Lower 48 States; the closest breeding population to Colorado is within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Breeding populations tend to be sedentary or they migrate very short distances for wintering. Hence, the appearance of Trumpeter Swans in Colorado is rare, and the species is considered a “casual” fall and early winter migrant on the eastern plains of our state. When the landmark book
Colorado Birds was written by Andrews and Righter, only one calendar-winter record of this swan had been documented in eastern Colorado, attesting to its winter-season rarity in the region of this cache placement.
TRUMPETER SWANS TAKING FLIGHT
On January 10, 2013 two Trumpeter Swans (an adult and a juvenile) were reported on Lower Hoffman Lake in Loveland. Since that initial report they have been observed on this small lake on a regular basis by enthusiastic bird watchers. The swans are most advantageously viewed from a boardwalk platform that overlooks the west side of the lake. This board walk is located in a small park just east of the McKee Medical center. Parking is nearby.
The cache is hidden in this park with the boardwalk and platform. Score a “double” on this one... Bring binoculars or a spotting scope to appreciate the marvelous swans, and bring your GPSr to latch on to the cache. Many other colorful species of waterfowl are concentrated on this small water body. When Denali50 and I were there to see the swans and hide the cache we saw all three North American species of mergansers, including the incredibly beautiful Hooded Merganser. This is a challenging cache to find, and it has given fits to many searchers. But each time I've checked on it, which has been regularly, it has been present and in good condition. Have patience and have fun!!