As you drive by our golf courses you may spot the beautiful white birds that grace the lakes on our courses. Our swans contribute to the beauty of our surroundings and have even been the subject of a children's book written by one of our residents. The population of our family of birds is constantly changing as new baby swan (cygnets) are introduced by their parents and nature takes its toll on the older ones. Jackie Van Ogtrop, Wildlife Services Coordinator, with a team of dedicated volunteers, makes sure our swan families are healthy and safe. These elegant birds add so much to the peace and enjoyment of our community.
The Neighborhood
Pebblebrook
Stardust
Grandview
Echo Mesa
Trail Ridge
Deer Valley
Desert Trails
Lake #8
Angel & Romeo
Lake #13
Star & Dusty
Lake #3
Jane &
Daisy Mae
Lake #1
Connie
& May
Lake #3
Grace
&
Gus
Lake #1
Lilly & Lyle
Lake #5
Louise &
George
Lake #10
Ethyl & Fred
Lake #17
Maybelle
Lake #6
Sarah & Sydney
Lake #4
Lady & Snow White
Lake #11
Lucy & Spencer
Lake #6
Milly & Billy
Lake #6/8
Penny & Horatio
Lake #11
Prudence & Pebble
Lake #8
Juliet
Lake #11/12
Happy & Morgan
Lake #14b
Georgia Girl & Misty
Lake #7
Birdie & Bogie
Lake #11
Abby & Piggy Wiggie
Lake #15
Jasmine & Brandy
Lake #16
Opal & Pearl
Lake #11c
Marcie &
Rikianne
Lake #13
Mary & Joseph
Lake #17
Ozzie & Harriet
Lake #12
Jill & Mikie
Lake #14
Taylor
Important note about feeding swans:
Swans have very special nutritional needs. Their long, graceful necks are lovely to look at, but their physiology makes swallowing food items such as bread a hazard. Bread gets caught in the bird's throats and they can choke to death. Some leafy plants, such as Oleanders, are poisonous. We have lost swans who have eaten Oleander leaves.
Ducks and geese also are harmed by well-meaning residents and their guests when they are fed quantities of bread. They will eat the bread and not consume more healthy foods such as leafy green vegetables and nutritious seed.
Our Wildlife Coordinator oversees a feeding program for our waterfowl. If you are interested in participating in this program and wish to help care for a swan, please call Jackie Van Ogtrop at (623) 544-6145.
The Recreation Centers of Sun City West Inc. is a not-for-profit
501c4
Private Golf Community located in the Northwest Valley of Phoenix
Arizona
Administrative Offices: 19803 R. H. Johnson Blvd. Sun City West, AZ
85375 623-544-6000
email@rcscw.com
