Home / Lifestyle / Seasonal Swans Grace Cochrane's Commando Lake Again
Seasonal Swans Grace Cochrane's Commando Lake Again
1 Jun
Summary
- Duke and Duchess, two swans, returned to Commando Lake last week.
- The tradition of swans on the lake began in September 1961.
- Swans overwinter at Cedar Meadows Resort and Spa in Timmins.
Cochrane is once again celebrating the return of its iconic seasonal residents: two swans to Commando Lake. Now named Duke and Duchess, these birds are part of a cherished community tradition that began in September 1961, when the first pair was introduced to the northern Ontario lake.
Each spring, successive pairs of swans arrive, becoming a familiar symbol of the changing seasons. While the swans have had offspring, unfortunately, none have survived to adulthood due to environmental challenges and predators. The town's operations department diligently cares for the swans during their stay, monitoring their health and ensuring their well-being.
The swans spend their winter months at Cedar Meadows Resort and Spa in Timmins, housed in a heated barn. They are released back to Cochrane in the spring once the ice conditions on Commando Lake permit. Mayor Peter Politis highlighted that the swans' return is a significant marker of spring and summer for residents, deeply embedded in the town's identity.
