Every winter, Heber Springs is chosen to be a winter vacation home for trumpeter swans.
Trumpeter swans are massive, 30 pound birds with up to 8-foot wingspans. They are the largest waterfowl species native to North America. Adult birds are solid white, except for their beaks and feet, and they make a very distinctive sound.
Normally, these guys live in the Midwest, Alaska and even Wyoming, but never as far South as Arkansas. For some reason, like many vacationers and retirees, this certain group of swans has chosen Heber Springs and returns here every year.
The phenomenon started when 3 swans showed up on the lake in the winter of 1991. It’s believed these guys were the “pilgrims” of the current Magness swans. The following winter a Minnesota swan that had been banded visited the lake with her mate. In 1993, that same swan was spotted with her mate and three cygnets (baby swans). Since then, the numbers have fluctuated, but upwards of 150 swans have been spotted on the lake at one time.
It’s believed the original 3 got knocked off course by a storm. They must have liked what they found, because they came again . . . and brought their friends and family. We will never be sure what brought them so far south.
If you want to see the swans yourself, just head out to Heber Springs in mid/late November through mid-February. They don’t really call ahead for reservations or announce their plans ahead of time, so you just have to keep your eyes open to see when they’re in town. The swans can be seen at Magness Lake and at Abram’s ponds on Hiram Road. The lake and ponds and the surrounding areas are privately owned. Visitors may view the swans from the provided parking areas.
- Clean shelled corn is the only recommended feed.
- Do not leave any trash.
- No dogs allowed out of your vehicle
Directions:
Magness Lake-drive east on Arkansas Hwy. 110 from its intersection with Arkansas 25 Bypass, just east of Heber Springs. Go 3.9 miles from the intersection to Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, marked with a white sign. Turn left on paved Hays Road. Magness Lake is about a half-mile down Hays Road on the right.
Abram’s Ponds-Take Hiram Road just east of the Little Red River (old Swinging Bridge), go about four-five miles. Across the road from 2560 Hiram Road, on the left, there will be signs marked “Swans”-and the second pond is a short distance up the road.
Photo courtesy of Kenny Nations
