For the first time, after several years of hiking around the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary Ponds, I saw Swans. One adult, and four juvenile, Mute Swans. Bob, my hiking partner, and I were thrilled. So, apparently, was the lady birder in my picture, watching the birds. The Swans swam along the shore, then took off and flew away, only to return after a few minutes, unfamiliar with the Ponds. They circled a few times and finally landed on the water again. Will we see more of them? Will they be welcomed?
A fierce battle regarding Mute Swans is being waged. The beautiful birds have been slaughtered in some areas (e.g. New Jersey) as non-native invasive species, accused of carrying Asian Flu. The Center for Disease Control denies that the birds pose any danger, and the matter has been brought to the courts by groups intent on protecting the birds. Only time will tell who will come out the winner.
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