25 Jan 2015 Swans in love with the 501
Story and photos
by Linda Henderson
The Magness Lake trumpeter swans have a heart for the 501.
They return each year from their summer breeding habitat to winter on a 30-acre lake near Heber Springs. The swans arrive for the season around Thanksgiving and then migrate back to large shallow ponds, lakes, wetlands and marshes in the Northwest, the Midwest and Alaska every year on or near Valentine’s Day.
According to the Trumpeter Swan Society, the swans are very large birds. Their average weight is around 30 pounds with a 6- to 8-foot wingspan. They are the largest waterfowl species native to North America. Adult birds are solid white, except for their beaks and feet, and they make a very distinctive trumpet sound. The juvenile swan is dark gray with a mottled bill.
The 501 area is not the normal wintering grounds for trumpeter swans. The locals report that the Magness Lake swans showed up in the winter of 1991 after being knocked off course by a storm. It is believed that the swans then returned back the following winter with family and friends. Since then, the numbers have increased to around 150.
The best time of day to see the swans is in the mid-afternoon to sunset. During the day, they are in the surrounding vicinity feeding. It is a real thrill to see the huge birds descend onto the lake and make their distinctive wing flapping behavior.
Other migrating birds can be viewed on Magness Lake. We have seen Canada geese, mallards, teal and coots while visiting the lake.
Visiting Magness Lake is definitely an entire family adventure. Kids will love feeding the birds shelled corn, and adults of all ages will enjoy the giggles and laughter from kids as they throw corn to the eagerly receptive swans.
Swans are very photogenic birds. They are large enough and slow enough to catch a good picture of them. Any camera from a point and shoot to a DSLR camera is very capable of getting a great picture of the magnificent swans. A telephoto lens is handy; however, many times the birds are so close to the bank of the lake that a normal lens will allow for a good picture. Focus on the eye of the swan. They are big white birds so sometimes your camera will underexpose the shot, so focusing on the eye will help get a better exposure. Late afternoon the light is perfect even on a sunny day.
Most people leave too soon; wait until the sun has almost set or has set. The lake surface turns a golden color and the swans will take flight in small groups. It is a beautiful sight to behold.
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