SWANS, THE MEASURE OF OUR HEALTH
THE DEC IS TAKING ANOTHER LOOK AND REVIEWING THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF STORMWATER/SEWAGE AND LEACH FIELD DRAINAGE, INCLUDING POTENTIAL IMPACT ON LAKE HILDEGARDE AND THE SATTERLY CREEK, WHICH ARE PROTECTED AND IMPORTANT LOCAL RESOURCES ..... 'SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING'
Editorial - Edie Johnson
A few years ago, at a community meeting about something environmental, a resident, Astrid Donninelli, mentioned that she is originally from Switzerland and lived there until 1999. She commented that in Switzerland the health of the Swan population is considered a biomarker, an important measure of the local environment, and especially its water quantity and quality. Back here in Blooming Grove I have been watching the swans of Lake Hildegarde for about 20 years. Something about them just speaks to me of the special grace and beauty of Mute Swans, and especially their environmental patterns. Mom (I nicknamed her Hilde) goes to the back of the Lake and into the reeds in March. Then she and "Garde" take turns watching the nest and fishing for aquatic vegetation, small insects and small fish. When they plunk their long necks pointing their tails to the sky to snatch the underwater meal, that plus the bits of grit they ingest help digest the food as they return upright. Their precision in raisng the cygnets (baby swans) is incredibly impressive. At less than one week old, this year's Hildegarde cygnets have already grown 15% and honed their fishing and swimming skills.
Turtle Knoll, Blooming Grove, New York
Blooming Grove has undergone tremendous environmental stress, especially during the past 10 years, via Century Storms and development, particularly some developers that did not plan their stormwater drainage properly. Once again, though, we are learning about how resiliency is a major key to success and survival. Drainage issues on 2 very nearby projects might have disturbed the health of Lake Hildegarde and its swan food sources. There appears to be some surface and shoreline residue, which is uncommon just after Spring rains, and at one point some construction debris had either slid or been thrown into the lake. But once again this area of Blooming Grove appears to have stayed JUST on the safe side of serious environmental damage.... at least so far. This did NOT JUST HAPPEN. Residents went above and beyond this year, with the support of local officials, to insist on better state oversight, and they plan to keep up the pressure in Albany, insisting that they unpack the books on "Smart Growth" that appeared 15 years ago only to be put back on a shelf. They also went out on foot, cleaning up a mountain of trash that passers by just tossed out of their windows. And just wait, new regulations are on the drawing board. Pressure for environmental, agriculture, open space and resort areas is flourishing toward the North and West in New York, but with the supposed urgency for affordable housing it sometimes seems that a feeling of urgency has replaced "Smart Growth" with "Whatever, just get it done!" And so our towns and villages in the Southeast corner within an hour of NYC are prime sacrificial lambs...if we let them. Someone, and we know where the 'buck stops" missed the lines in between that explain how when growth is not "Smart" it becomes unhealthy, both for the physical environment as well as its people and creatures. Now vigilance is becoming urgent.
Last year Lake Hildegarde water level went quite low toward the end of Summer. The swans disappeared for about a month, and it was just when the cygnets were approaching maturity. I feared they had flown to another lake with better health. BUT, I learned that way back in those marshy reeds there are some small rivulets that feed the lake, and it is not that uncommon for Swans to take refuge in an area like that and sup on grasses until Fall rains replenish quality and quantity in the lake.
Will these rivulets continue to be able to feed the Lake and the reeds provide shelter for fresh grasses in future years? The verdict is out, but so far there is some improvement as well as better lines of communication. The DEC has given more stringent oversight in recent months to the surrounding construction and drainage issues. The area's residents have monitored and reported issues promptly.
Another uplifting fact seems to be impacting the Lake Hildegarde neighborhood. Area nature enthusiasts have always visited its shores in Spring to do a little fishing and simply enjoy the tranquil view and its waterfall. They are back, and in recent months some of the new neighbors have taken to short walks along the shoreline, even putting a few chairs out where they let the fresh air, the tranquility and benefits of nature at its best seep into their souls. Once learned, the benefits to both mind and body of a place like Lake Hildegarde becomes addictive and will tend to continue to generate a quiet but fierce fight against overdevelopment. But only if ALL of the local citizenry continues to monitor it, daily, in detail and with care.
I am pleased to report that these cygnets, now 5 or 6 days old, appear to be doing very well... they have already grown since I first saw them on Tuesday, April 30. I was able to get one photo the first day they were out on the water, and a few more the second day. On Wedneday Hilde looked quite exhausted...like she had just given birth to sextuplets. Today she is back to her beautiful and proud self, as is Garde (which you have to admit is the perfect name since he seems to be guarding the little cygnet water parade from the rear).
Check back later for some images and a video of the Hildegarde swans over the years, and other favorite local birds. Facebook may have some disadvantages, but it's amazing that it scrolled through my thousands of images and videos and put a lovely little movie together.
(Disclaimer ... No, I do not profess to know how many of the past 20 Mute Swan families are by the same pair. It is not true that swans always mate for life, though they usually partner either for life or for a long time unless illness, death or circumstances intervene. It is likely there have been some changes in the pairs at this lake, one male having been hit by a car 2 or 3 years ago, who died in spite of efforts by a resident and veterinarian to save him. And last year's male swan disappeared 2 days after the cygnets appeared. Is this that same male returned? There are several other lakes supporting swans in the area. And it is not unusual for the young to go adventuring 5 or 6 miles to check out other area lakes in early Fall when they mature. Mute swans are long-lived, often lasting 20-30 years. So while Garde is probably not the same male mute swan after 20 years, Hilde might be the same female swan I first saw what seems like half a lifetime ago?" Given that she appears to recognize me, (and even enjoy my picture taking of her brood), I like to think "Yes".)
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