The City of Lakeland’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Division kicked off the 46th Annual Swan Roundup at Lake Morton bright and early at 7:00 AM on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Key Details & Schedule
- Day 1 (Tuesday, Oct. 6): The Gathering
- Staff take to Lake Morton by boat to carefully net and collect the city’s iconic swan population.
- Collected swans are transferred to large holding pens set up on the south side of Lake Morton for an overnight stay.
- Day 2 (Wednesday, Oct. 7): Health Checks
- Starting at 7:00 AM, veterinarians and staff from My Pet’s Animal Hospital perform comprehensive physical exams, weigh each bird, check for injuries or illness, and microchip young cygnets before releasing them back into the lake.
- Veterinary services are donated annually to the city free of charge.
History & Care
The tradition dates back to 1980. After Queen Elizabeth II gifted a pair of swans to Lakeland in 1957, the flock grew, necessitating annual medical roundups to monitor and preserve the health of Lake Morton’s signature residents.
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