Hello, again.
I have written to you before about the pair of swans who were on our private lake for 11 years together and never left even during the most brutal winters. However, this year, in Michigan where I live, the weather was cold only one month. The parents and their May born, the 2 survived cygnets were gone in January. First time ever that the couple left the lake. I don't know what exactly happened and why they left this year, however, as I wrote you that only one of the swans has returned now. It doesn't look as it's a baby but a mature one, one of the parents. Apparently, he recognized my calling to him (or her) and comes so fast to get his food as usual from me. I was hoping with the weather warming up his partner will return. But it doesn't look like that anymore. What's also so strange is that the couple have never left anywhere before because the lake was always a perfect nesting place to them with the two very tiny but cozy foresty-like islands in a middle of the lake. These 2 had produced 8 generations of babies from 5-9 cygnets with 2-3 survived each summer till fall. But since last January, the babies were the first time staying with their parents that was so late. I was so surprised they didn't leave in November as usual with the previous nest. Last time saw the babies together on a different side of the lake from the parents was January. Next day they were gone while parents were still there for another 2-3 days. So, now, the only one of them came back. The question is: every 3-4 days when I come to feed him I started not finding him anywhere around. He just disappears. Then, day later he appears again. It was already 3 times like that. So, why does he leave and where? If his partner died or was killed, is it possible he grieves and tries fining her (him) by flying around? Do you think he is traumatized and that's why he flies off and back? What this could be? Thanks a lot in advance for your time to all of us Nature-Lovers.