Schaumburg swans quickly learn of nature's dangers

Five newly hatched cygnets were spotted Wednesday morning in the nest of parent swans Louis and Serena in the pond north of Schaumburg's village hall, but a day later only four were visible.

The presumed death of the infant swan is a reminder that while Louis and Serena serve as guardians of the pond to keep away geese, their young often face dangers from other wildlife.

Snapping turtles, which follow a stream to the pond from the nearby Spring Valley Nature Center, are the main threats to the infant swans. They're relocated as soon as they're detected, Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson said.

But birds of prey like owls present another danger, and likely were to blame when cygnet feathers were found near pond during a past year.

Popcorn left behind by people poses an unintentional threat to the babies as well, Larson said. The cygnets can't digest the popcorn and will die from trying to eat it. The sale of popcorn on the village hall grounds during the Prairie Center Arts Festival over Memorial Day weekend has been discontinued in recent years as a result.

While the cygnets grow large enough to defend themselves against most predators fairly quickly, it isn't always soon enough for some. But the presence of the swans provides something of a live wildlife documentary for frequent visitors, Larson said.