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Monday, February 23, 2009

Swans staying through the winter

Not to long a go I read an article in an outdoor publication about how the Trumpeter Swans were sticking around Monticello(where I live) for the winter in record numbers. The article said the Swans were staying because of the open water in the Mississippi River created by the Nuclear Power plant (I won’t go there now), and people feeding them. This is not an uncommon thing in the area with other birds like the Canada Geese and various ducks.


The big problem with the 1500(give or take) Swans is, they are protected here in Minnesota and the DNR is afraid that they will contract some disease which in turn will wipe them all out. They did make the residents in the area stop feeding the Swans, but they still didn’t leave. The swans just started dyeing which isn’t a good thing in the minds of the Minnesota DNR. I’m guessing because they spent a whole lot of time and money rebuilding the Swans population in the state, and they feel it would be a waste to let them just die. Needless to say the feeding of the Swans resumed about a week or two later.



I feel if these birds aren’t smart enough to know they need to fly south in the winter they better be able to find their own food. I say stop feeding them and let nature take its course a thinning of the flock so to speak. The dumb ones will die off and the smarter birds will not only live and prosper, but make the states population of Swans much stronger. This will then help avoid the whole problem again in the future.
Let me know your thoughts.



Ben G.

5 comments:

SimplyOutdoors said...

Now, that is quite a dilemma there. I think I'm of the same mindset as you: let the birds that don't go south die, and thin the hard out a little so to speak. I'm not sure the continued feeding is helping them at all.

Rod McBellanic said...

Ben,
Happy to see you out and persuing the dream. Good start. Keep it up.
Field Dress
The Wild Side Blog

Anonymous said...

Hmm, not sure what I think about this one. On one hand survival of the fittest isn't a bad thing. On the other hand it is a shame to see the swans die.

The Swan Lady said...

Boy-oh_boy...you all certainly are callous and uncaring. You judge a person's character by how one treats animals....in turn,....this is how they also treat people.

With your mindset...here is your reflection back at ya.... If you should ever happen to lose your job...well then...no hand outs and help for you. We should just let you suffer...no food...no money,,,,no help or any type of assistance...zip...none....

How does that feel? Think about it......The Beloved Swans feel the SAME.....point made....Aloha

Ben G. said...

Swan Lady- I would be fine with that it's my own problem if I can't fend for myself. Thank you very much!

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