Black neck swan keeping large hole in the ice

[PeppyLaRoo]

It's been pretty cold for a couple of weeks now here in Kentucky. Best I can tell, ice is 3.5-4" thick on my ponds. I use heavy iron bar to keep a small hole open for a pair of black swans on one pond. [1st picture] On the other pond a male black neck swan keeps a large 10' diameter hole open. The ice is so thick you can walk right up to the edge with no fear of breaking through.

There are two other black swans on the pond with the black neck, but I think he is the one keeping the hole thawed. I did have a nice pair of black necks on the pond, but a snapper killed my female this summer. So it goes.

 

[PeppyLaRoo]

Pictures posted out of order.

 

[jane s chickens]

Snapping turtle?

 

[sylviethecochin]

I hate snapping turtles. We lost three ducks to the one before it got a bullet in the head.

Our mallards try and keep a hole open as well, but it froze over two nights ago and they've been hanging out by the barn since. Does yours sleep on the pond?