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Trumpeter Swans at the Grotto
September 9, 2012 at 11:30am and 1:00pm
Every year the Grotto of the Redemption and the Iowa DNR sponsor a free educational event on Trumpeter swans at the Grotto in West Bend. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
The swan educational session includes a
twenty minute swan/wetland presentation, a unique opportunity to touch and view swans up close, and a historic photo opportunity for all ages. As the largest North American waterfowl, these magnificent all-white birds can weigh up to 36 pounds with an 8-foot wingspan.
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 Trumpeter swans were once common in Iowa, but were gone from the state by the late 1800’s. By the early 1930’s, only 69 swans remained in the lower 48 states. The trumpeter swans are part of the DNR’s statewide Trumpeter swan restoration effort, with hopes that they will help restore a wild free flying population to Iowa.
In 1995, the Grotto of the Redemption joined swan restoration
efforts with the release of a pair of Trumpeter swans on the Grotto
pond. Since that time, 64 cygnets have been hatched at the Grotto.
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