We are vacationing in Bridgman, MI--the southwest area of Michigan with many beaches directly on Lake Michigan. These beaches are very similar to the ocean (other than it is freshwater rather than salt) w/ waves, sand, dunes, etc. Last night we saw two dots way in the distance & they continued to swim towards us & then for hours swam past us and continued swimming down the coast. It was a pair of the largest swans I've ever seen in my life. They were approximately 1/4 mile out into Lake Michigan, but at various parts of their swim they were far closer to shore--approximately 500 feet out at certain points. They were swimming right through the waves & looked content/did not fly away. They continued swimming down the coast until we could no longer see them.

I'm trying to search, but can't find any information on whether this is normal or what types of swans these might be. I've never seen swams on Lake Michigan beaches in the 17 years I've been coming here. Can you please give me some information on how often or how likely it is for swans to be in Lake Michigan. Could they survive living there? Is this a normal thing?

Any information would be really helpful!
Thank you!!
Sissy