I just wanted to share what I heard about the Mute swans currently reported
with the Surf Scoter on the clubhouse pond in Farragut, Knoxville, since
several comments regarding the status were made on the recent eBird lists.
Those 3 swans are indeed domesticated, originally brought from a swan farm in
Florida. But, interestingly, one of them actually has whole wings and is
supposedly capable of flying. He was born at the pond and the wings were never
clipped. He’s going to be 2-yrs old in May. I discovered all of this after
speaking with the person who takes care of these swans. She said that she
wonders if he will stay or fly away as he gets fully mature. By the way, the
swans are in the breeding season now and the black marks on their faces are
growing and showing differences between the adult male and others. Hope we have
the Scoter and Scaups and Wigeons there for a while!
Harumi (Umi) Tsuruoka
Maryville, TN
