Four majestic trumpeter swans have replaced Sydney, the pond's former longtime crotchety master who died last fall. The year-old swans were brought to the pond in late July from Rhode Island and already act right at home, according to Marc Fournier, director of grounds management who was instrumental in bringing the elegant birds to campus. Generations of UMass students have fond memories of watching swans glide about the Campus Pond, and Fournier said he received many calls from concerned alumni, faculty, and students when Sydney died. Over the years, the campus swans have been featured on hundreds of University publications and are probably the University's best-known symbol. The four are all trumpeter swans, a kinder, gentler species than Sydney, who was a mute swan, a more aggressively territorial species.
Trumpeters are a more domesticated type.
The current swans are still unnamed, partly because the sex of all four has yet to be determined. However, Fournier said there is at least one female and one male among them and, possibly two of each sex, raising the possibility of a breeding program on campus. He said a contest may be held to come up with names. Considered an endangered species until recently, when full grown, the swans will weigh about 30 or so pounds. Besides their snowy-white plumage and elegant, long necks, trumpeter swans have jet black bills and feet.