(Atlantic, Iowa) – You’re invited to check-out an event taking place this weekend in western Iowa, where the graceful, large-winged Trumpeter Swans have gathered. It’s called “Sorie with the swans.” Cass County Conservation Department Naturalist Lora Kanning reports the birds number from 75-to 100 on any given day. They like to congregate at Lake Number 4 in Atlantic’s Schildberg Recreation Area. Kanning says the Trumpeter Swan population has been growing in the Midwest.

Trumpeter Swans, with their seven-foot wing spans, are not banded for tracking, since efforts to restore the population has been successful, but ISU has a program whereby a couple of the birds have GPS collars.

She says they’ve seen success in the last five-years, not only of the increased nesting activity, but also of them finding other, wintering sites.

She says it’s interesting to see how the Swans make their way around the State when it gets cold outside. Atlantic is celebrating 23 winters of the Trumpeter Swans wintering in the community. Conservation Staff will provide ten-minute sessions about Trumpeter Swans every half-hour beginning at 11:00 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 7th), with the last one being presented at 2:00 p.m. There will also be time to view the swans through spotting scopes and witness random swan feeding sessions. Hot chocolate, cookies, and other snacks will be provided free of charge with donations being accepted (for swan care).

The Schildberg Recreation Area is located on the northwest edge of Atlantic, Lake 4 is on the north side of Highway 83. IF THE WEATHER IS “BAD” OR THE SWANS ARE NOT AT THE PARK…the program will be at the Atlantic Public Library from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. with hot chocolate, cookies, and other snacks available. This event is being sponsored by the Cass County Conservation Board, Atlantic Parks and Recreation, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.