Trumpeter Swans Visit Devil’s Lake

As much as we enjoy our summer visitors, it’s something special to see Devil’s Lake returned to the wildlife who called the lake home long, long before we were here.

It’s rare to see Trumpeter Swans on the lake, but in the last decade or so we see a few, especially during the migration season. It wasn’t that long ago that Trumpeter’s were so rare that you’d never see one in Wisconsin.

It’s sad, but true that humans left to their own devices nearly wiped out many species of animals in less than 100 years here in North America. In the case of the Trumpeter swan, there were only around 60 left in the United States. Those were in Yellowstone National Park and the Centennial Valley of Montana. It was only the remoteness of their location that kept them alive. Since then, thanks to the endangered species act of 1973 and the hard work of biologists, supportive communities, and volunteers, they have made an amazing recovery. This is why we occasionally have an opportunity to see them at Devil’s Lake State Park today.

We have to keep in mind however that the Trumpeter Swan continues to be under threat due to illegal shooting, led poisoning, habitat loss, and other threats. You can learn more at the Trumpeter Swan Society’s website here.

You have a short window right now to get out to Devil’s Lake to see the swans. The swans tend to hang out on both the north and south shores of the lake and are not particularly afraid of humans, so you can stand outside of your car to photograph them. That said, while Trumpeter’s are generally not aggressive, but it’s wise not to try to get too close. :) (They will react to dogs, so leave your pets in the car if they are with you.)