THERE HAS BEEN A BIT OF A POPULATION EXPULSION AT THE HURSTVILLE INTERPRETIVE CENTER MARSH. SIX BABY TRUMPETER SWANS (CYGNETS) HAVE HATCHED NORTH OF MAQUOKETA AND THEIR PARENTS ARE PART OF THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TRUMPETER SWAN REINTRODUCTION PROGRAM. THE BABIES HATCHED TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 16TH. VISITORS CAN VIEW THE ACTIVITES OF THE FAMILY, SHOWN ABOVE, FROM A SPOTTING SCOPE ON THE EAST DECK OF THE HURSTVILLE CENTER. VISITORS ARE ASKED NOT TO APPROACH THE FENCE OF THE SWAN ENCLOSURE TO VIEW THE SWANS. CLOSE APPROACHES AGITATE THE ADULTS AND DISRUPT THE CYGNETS RESTING AND FEEDING TIMES. THESE CYGNETS WILL BE RELEASED INTO THE WILD IN THE SPRING OF 2010 WHEN THEY ARE A YEAR OLD. ON WEEKENDS, VOLUNTEERS AT THE CENTER WILL ALSO HAVE SWAN FEATHERS, A TAPE RECORDING OF SWAN SOUNDS AND OTHER ITEMS TO SHARE WITH VISITORS. THE HURSTVILLE INTERPRETIVE CENTER IS OPEN FROM 8 A.M. UNTIL 4 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND NOON UNTIL 5 P.M. SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. THERE IS NO ADMISSION CHARGE.
DENNIS VOY