Royal Swans

Swans! You may be surprised but these beautiful, graceful birds that swim in the waters of several lakes here are not native to Florida. The story of how these bevy of birds came to call Lakeland home and earn a place in our hearts to serve as the city’s symbol, is very interesting fraught with drama, chases, and thrills fit for a big screen production.

This public art at the foot of Main Street by British sculptor, Ian Brennan, titled “Mute Swan protecting her Cygnets” was donated to the city of Lakeland in honor of the Wolfson Family in 2012. This bronze work is a replica of one in England and brings us back to the story of the Royalty swimming along our shores.

Swans can be found in fresh water lakes, ponds and estuaries primarily in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. Their migration to Florida came from seasonal residents wanting to have swans as pets on or near their winter homes. By 1926, Lakeland had a swan population of 20 and the city established a Swan Department to help oversee their care. At this time a cob (male) and Pen (female) would cost over $300 each with annual up-keep totaling $1000.

Residents and visitors alike enjoyed watching these beautiful birds gliding on the waters of Lake Beulah, Lake Bonny, Lake Hollingsworth, Lake Hunter, Lake Mirror, Lake Wire and especially Lake Morton. Swans can live for 20 to 30 years. But through the decades many birds succumbed to a less than friendly environment as victims of prey to alligators, dogs, diseases, chemicals, and interactions with humans. In 1954, the last swan passed away, leaving Lakeland swan-less.

Lakeland’s swan saga did not go unnoticed. The community came together to raise funds to purchase new swans but to no avail. A former resident of Lakeland who had been living in England decided to take the matter to none other than Queen Elizabeth II. One of the Queen’s lesser known titles is Seigneur of Swans as the royal family are inherently owners of all British swans since the middle ages. The Queen responded to the request by donating a mated pair of swans from the royal swannery. Lakeland only would need to cover the costs of wrangling, transportation and licensing which totaled $300.

To make their trip across the “big pond,” the swans had to be taken from their roost along the Thames River outside of London. Unfortunately, an oil carrying barge sank, spilling its contents, which contaminated all birds, including the two bound for Lakeland. The quarantine and process to restore the birds to good health took over five months. Their import license and flight arrangements were all reworked. Their final leg of the journey was a two-week impound in New Jersey.

The City had prepared a small green hut with shingled roof at Lake Morton. This was surrounded by a fence to shelter and protect these special guests. Meanwhile, Lakelander’s were kept abreast of the swan’s arrival by way of the local newspaper, Lakeland Ledger. They also generated a “Name the Swan” contest and invited the whole town, especially any British citizens, to be on site for the big welcoming event.

The swans arrived by Riddle Airlines from Clifton New Jersey on February 8, 1957. They were met at the Drane Field Airport by then mayor, Col. E.W. Bowen, City Manager, D.O. Payne, and Chester McDonald, president of the Chamber of Commerce. The entourage traveled by motorcade to Lake Morton where throngs of people crowded to see the Royal Swans. As cameras snapped photographs, the crate was opened and a distinctive smell of oil filled the air causing many to hold their noses. The crowd still cheered as their official keeper, Harvey Brock, led them to their new quarters.

Imagine everyone’s surprise when the following day the female was out floating on the water alone and the male was nowhere to be found. To allow the birds a chance to settle in to their new abode, and with a fence enclosure, it was mistaking thought that they would not try to fly so the wings were not clipped. Agents of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission along with a band of volunteer citizen took to canoes, boats, and even helicopters in hopes of a quick retrieval. Calls to the media flooded in with sightings as Lakelands stood on Swan watch and sympathies aligned with the “forsaken Mrs. Swan.”

Finally, after a few days the lonely female swan was joined by the captured wandering cob, who had done a bit of sightseeing in his new area. The naming contest had been put on hold so the paper dubbed the duo Sir and Lady Swan. With wings clipped, the two were noted by the newspaper to be “floating in the middle of Lake Morton as they should be.” Citizens then began to watch for signs of “family planning” with nest building. But then tragedy struck and the male swan was fatally injured. By July, the “widow” had been taken to a Florida swannery where she selected a “commoner” as her mate. The city also purchased another breeding pair as companions. The following spring cygnets arrived and the population increased.

From the beginning, the City has been very protective of the swans by constructing more fences, enforcing speed limits near their territories, nurturing the young, and ensuring their health with the annual Swan Round-up. This is a collective effort organized between veterinarians, volunteers, and city workers to give the swans the best chance at good health with an examination, vitamin supplements, and vaccinations. Ongoing public education programs instruct the community on proper nutrition and respect for Lakeland’s adopted symbol.