Some sad news: The trumpeter swan whose rescue, recovery and subsequent reunion with his mate was chronicled in the birding column Jan. 5 has died.
The swan was re-rescued and brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville in late January in poor condition. Testing showed extremely high levels of lead in his bloodstream and supportive care was not enough to keep him alive.
The swan was originally rescued from a Wisconsin marsh after it was injured by shotgun pellets in late October and brought to the wildlife center, where he recovered and was released in early November.
The swan, which wore ID collar 88F, tested negatively for lead when he was released from the center in November, so the lead that led to his death was picked up after his release. Water birds such as swans, which dabble head down in the water and mud to feed, can pick up old lead pellets or even fishing sinkers from pond and river bottoms.
