The Swans Get Their Checkups: 46th Swan Roundup

Only in Lakeland do the swans get an annual doctor's visit — by boat.

The 46th annual Swan Roundup kicked off Tuesday at Lake Morton, with city crews gathering the flock by boat starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday brings the wellness exams: vets weigh and examine every bird and microchip the young cygnets before they're released back to the lake.

This isn't just a quirky photo op. The tradition started in 1980, and the swans themselves go back to 1957, when Queen Elizabeth II gifted Lakeland its original pair. The city spends about $10,000 a year caring for the flock, and the vet work is donated. The parks director calls them a cherished treasure, loved by families for generations.

He's not wrong. Generations of Lakeland kids grew up feeding these birds. The roundup is the city's way of saying: they're ours, and we take care of ours.

Long live the swans. All hail the roundup.