Late this afternoon, I found 5 swans at Nieman Pond on the east side of Freeport. At least 4 of them were Tundra Swans. The other didn’t lift its head from sleeping the entire time I was there, but appeared to be the same size. None of the 5 were banded.

Also at Nieman Pond were a variety of puddle ducks, mostly GW Teal and Mallards, some divers (Ring-necked, Canvasbacks, Ruddy Ducks, L. Scaup, and Hooded Mergansers. A Snow Goose and some Cackling Geese with a variety of Canada types rounded out the waterfowl.

Nieman Pond is at the north end of Springfield Road. That is the road immediately west of the old Kelly Springfield tire factory. Exit US 20 as if you were going to downtown Freeport at the Kelly plant. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn right on to Springfield Road, recross US 20 onthe bridge, and the pond is dead ahead. It is private property, as well as all around, so stick to the edge of the road. A scope is necessary to see good details on the birds–they were in the way back of the pond.