Stratford plans swan release on Wednesday

Swans make their way into the Avon River in Stratford during the Stratford Swan Parade on Sunday, April 8, 2018.

Some of Stratford’s most famous feathered residents are returning to their home on the Avon River.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the City of Stratford announced temporary road closures have been planned for Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. as the city’s swans will be leaving their winter quarters.

Morenz Drive from Water Street to Lakeside Drive will be closed. Lakeside Drive will also be closed from Waterloo Street to North Street.

The release is expected to happen around 7:45 a.m.

Parade cancelled

Earlier this year the city announced changes to the way the birds are reintroduced to the outdoors. In the past, they strolled down to the river on the first Sunday in April, usually led by the Stratford Police Pipe and Drums Band and surrounded by a crowd of adoring fans.

But the city decided the parade would no longer have a set date and the swans would return when the conditions were right.

City officials hoped the change would reduce the amount of stress the mute swans face.