June 2020 • Nebraskaland 59
down the large muskrat house from
his nest. Once it reached the water,
the cob started out swimming slowly,
letting the cygnet get used to the cool
water and figure out how to navigate
it. Within minutes, both cob and
cygnet set out exploring the lake.
It is also comforting to know that
thanks to the efforts of ranchers,
landowners, conservation agencies
and the public, trumpeter swans will
continue to thrive in the Sandhills for
generations to come.
N
Heather Johnson did much of the field
work for this study and contributed to
this story. We would also like to thank
the landowners who allowed us access;
Game and Parks biologists Al Hansen,
Tom Krolikowski and Zac Brashears;
technicians and other individuals for
their help; and Letitia Reichart at the
University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Swans spend an evening on the ice in the upper reaches of Calamus Reservoir. In some years hundreds of swans
winter on the reservoir and on the Calamus River above it. Below: A swan stretches its wings on Blue Creek.
