GC4613H Traditional Cache Avian Rarities of Colorado--Trumpeter Swan
Type: Traditional | Size: Small Small | Difficulty: 3 out of 5 | Terrain: 1.5 out of 5
By: Denali41 @ | Hide Date: 02/11/2013 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N40° 24.868 W105° 02.976 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
Recommended for kids  Takes less than an hour  Scenic view  No Significant hike  Parking available  Picnic tables nearby 
CONGRATULATIONS TO The Podge, Podgepa AND NateyRocks FOR FTF!!!
The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is the largest species of native North American waterfowl and is the heaviest native bird living on our continent.  It is a long-lived social species, conspicuous by its large size, all-white plumage, and trumpet-like call.  This swan’s primary breeding grounds are in central Alaska and northwestern Canada, where it nests on a variety of freshwater marshes, ponds, and small lakes. Several smaller populations nest in limited areas in the northern Lower 48 States; the closest breeding population to Colorado is within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
 
Breeding populations tend to be sedentary or they migrate very short distances for wintering.  Hence, the appearance of Trumpeter Swans in Colorado is rare, and the species is considered a “casual” fall and early winter migrant on the eastern plains of our state.  When the landmark book Colorado Birds was written by Andrews and Righter, only one calendar-winter record of this swan had been documented in eastern Colorado, attesting to its winter-season rarity in the region of this cache placement.


TRUMPETER SWANS TAKING FLIGHT


On January 10, 2013 two Trumpeter Swans (an adult and a juvenile) were reported on Lower Hoffman Lake in Loveland. Since that initial report they have been observed on this small lake on a regular basis by enthusiastic bird watchers.  The swans are most advantageously viewed from a boardwalk platform that overlooks the west side of the lake.  This board walk is located in a small park just east of the McKee Medical center.  Parking is nearby.
 
The cache is hidden in this park with the boardwalk and platform. Score a “double” on this one...  Bring binoculars or a spotting scope to appreciate the marvelous swans, and bring your GPSr to latch on to the cache.  Many other colorful species of waterfowl are concentrated on this small water body.  When Denali50 and I were there to see the swans and hide the cache we saw all three North American species of mergansers, including the incredibly beautiful Hooded Merganser.  This is a challenging cache to find, and it has given fits to many searchers. But each time I've checked on it, which has been regularly, it has been present and in good condition. Have patience and have fun!!
 
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 Logs

10 Logs: Found it 3  Didn't find it 2  Write note 3  Owner Maintenance 2  

Found it 04/28/2019 By Miles ToGeo
I wasn't sure about this cache but we stopped for a look. Searched for a bit and I found it.

Found it 04/28/2019 By VEGA19
Yep, it is there. Took a few minutes of looking around to find though. It is well hidden but right on the coordinates. Looks like a peaceful place to sit and view the lake but the wind was coming up before our next storm. Thanks for the Trumpeter story. It is great to learn while we cache. Signed the log and replaced the cache. And thanks Denali41 for the cache.

Owner Maintenance 04/21/2019 By Denali41
Sorry about the DNFs. The cache is present. It's a toughie to find.

Didn't find it 04/21/2019 By Solan970
I was wondering,to much vegitation?or what?

Didn't find it 04/21/2019 By Solan970
DNF

Found it 08/12/2018 By doglover&pups
Just visiting Loveland picking up a few caches and thought I would give this one a go. After looking at the past logs I thought it would be harder, but I found it in the second place I "stuck my hand". TFTC

Owner Maintenance 05/30/2018 By Denali41
icezebra11's note confirms that the cache is in place and in OK condition, so I'm able to post an owner's maintenance note that all is well. Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness in checking on the condition of this cache, Brad. Very much appreciated!

Write note 05/30/2018 By icezebra11
After seeing yet another DNF on this cache and since I live just a mile from GZ I took a short drive to check on it. Yes, it is indeed still there! As Denali41 said in his note, this is a difficult hide. Even though I found it five years ago and checked on it three years ago after a few DNFs it took me about 10-15 minutes to locate it this time. So it's there for the thorough searcher to find!!

Write note 05/30/2018 By Denali41
It's been almost a year since I last checked on the cache, so I'll soon check it again. Every time I've done maintenance on the cache in the past (after several DNFs) the cache has been in place. It's a toughie. Mondo, the number 2 cacher in the world in terms of number of finds, took three times at this one before he found it. So it is fairly challenging--as the number of DNFs further suggests.

Write note 05/26/2018 By LillieRose
There was a moose that hung out down here quite a few years ago. He ate all the fermented apples off one tree that is in front of the building by the cache. Needless to say he ended up a bit wobbly and woozy!! I’m not sure if ones been reported down here since then. It sure was awesome!