Four of our members, Carol and Wayne Dyer and Carolyn and Jay Law, made a trip to Magness Lake to see the Trumpeter Swans last week. Carol reports that they had a wonderful experience just as we did when we were there several years ago. Thanks to Carol for sharing some of the photos with us.
When I asked Carol if she had information about the trip that she would be willing to share with our members, this is her response.
The “advertised” location of the Swans is at Lake Magness. Everyone in Heber Springs - restaurant folks, hotel staff - can give directions there. Believe it is on Hays Road past the Bypass. The other two lakes are unnamed and we were given information on them from another birder at Magness. Basically, they are on the same road as Lake Magness but further down the highway. Terry Butler told us about the third Lake. The unnamed lakes are good because there is no fencing around them.
The entire experience was really amazing. The Swans are so beautiful - the largest fowl in North America - and their trumpet sounds are a joy and delight to experience. They will be gone soon, so make plans to see them within the next two weeks if possible.
I can recommend the Holiday Inn Express and also a few restaurants if needed.
Thanks to Carol for both the photos and the information.
Carolyn Minson
E-Communications
Do you have something you would like to share with other members? email me: csminson@mac.com
Update:
Several of our members have made the trip to Magness Lake during January. Janet Rowe, one of our members, shared these photos from Magness Lake on Jan. 5, 2018.
The banded Swan was reported and she received a certificate stating it had been banded in 2012 as a juvenile, that it could not fly and the sex was undetermined. He is a male; there was a family group to include a female and a first year offspring.
The darker swans are juveniles. Thanks to Janet for sharing with us.
Try your duck ID skills - find as many species as you can. Photo by Janet Rowe
Carolyn Minson
E-Communications
Do you have something you would like to share with other members? email me: csminson@mac.com
Update - Sue & John Sawyer Visit Lake Magness
We traveled to Lake Magness and one unidentified lake on Wednesday, January 24, to view the Trumpeter Swans. There were about 25-30 Trumpeter Swans on Lake Magness. In addition, there were many ducks – primarily Mallards, Ring-Necked Ducks and Buffleheads.
The second lake contained many more Trumpeter Swans but not many ducks, but the viewing was much better. The swans can come right up on shore and there were over 125 Trumpeter Swans on this lake. A gull was swooping down and harassing the swans which was somewhat comical.
Directions below for the unnamed second lake – you could proceed to Lake Magness from there:
Take Highway 5 & 25 into Heber Springs
Turn Right on Highway 10 (Wilburn Road) go about 2 miles
Turn Right on Hiram Road, go 4 to 5 miles, past Junk Yard
Turn Left at “Water for Sale” sign (on left) to Unnamed Lake
Below are some photos my husband, John, took. The weather really cooperated and the swans were magnificent!
- Sue Sawyer
