The real-life Svetloe Lake is located near Urozhainoe village which means “Prolific” in Siberia. It is also known to many locals as the Swan Lake its uniqueness is that water never freezes, no matter how cold the winter. In winter the Svetloe Lake is usually teeming with activity and you found it the most beautiful lake in the world. The hundreds of beautiful swans arrive here to enjoy the warm water of this lake, swans generally select to fly further south where the climate isn’t so harsh.
The Svetloe Lake is so special because it is fed by many warm springs. The temperature of the water is always above zero, although the surroundings’ air drops to minus 40c. The lake waters are warm in comparison, between 5C to 6C, making it the unspoiled hang-out place for the beautiful birds.
The swans started to appear at the lake way back in 1967. Only about 15 birds would make an appearance then, but the numbers have steadily increased to over 350 today and still continue to rise. The name Svetloe actually means “Clear Lake” and the waters are pristine and so transparent even though you can see all the way down to its depths.
The people of the nearby village are arrogant to have the breathtaking swan lake and treat the species with massive care and respect, and in return have the most rewarding swan songs the birds are famed for their deep honking call and relish the watching them fly. As per locals, only 15 birds appeared in 1967, but now the quantity has grown up to 350 annually with the numbers rising every year.
The birds leave for nesting in the northern polar areas of Siberia in March and come back here with their young some nine months later. Whooper Swans are extra cautious birds. They need calm and quiet, so the access of people to the lake to see this remarkable sight is limited. There is a special viewing point ten meters high with a panoramic view of the lake, built in a way that it doesn’t disturb the birds.
There are also more than a few floats designed especially for feeding the swans which permit you to see these remarkable birds from a closer distance. Almost 2,000 ducks also spend the coldest months with the swans which include the Mallard, the Goldeneye, the Redhead, and the Tufted ducks, two kinds of Teals, and Northern Pintails.
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