This sounds like a juvenile swan who did not leave with the rest of the flock or was chased into an area and does not know how to leave. Our best suggestion is that you find a wildlife/waterfowl rehabilitation center in your area that might help capture the swan and either hold it over for the winter or relocate it to a larger pond that may not freeze.

You are correct in that if the pond freezes, the swan may die from starvation, drowning, dehydration or predation as predators can access the ice and attack the swan. So, any help that you might render will help save the swan's life.

Now, having said all of this, you need to ask discreetly if the swan can be helped. In most states, wildlife officials are killing the Mute Swans because they are trying to remove the swans so that a larger species, the Trumpeter Swans can be introduced for Trophy Waterfowl hunting purposes. So, these states will have rehabilitation facilities kill the swans instead of helping them. Again, we ask that you be discreet and find a facility/wildlife sanctuary that might intervene on the swan's behalf and help it instead of killing it.

Otherwise, the swan is on its own to survive the winter. Hopefully, it will decide to leave on its own if it can and does not get stuck in the upcoming arctic blasts that are forthcoming in the near future. Please let us know how this situation progresses. The Regal Swan