Mute swan (Cygnus olor)

Location: 27/5/2024, Rushall Canal between Gillity and Fiveways Bridges, Park Hall, Walsall, UK

A remain-on-territory nesting pair of protected (since 1387) mute swans (ca. 4 years old) were spotted, the hen of which had moved her nest to a new location at the end of a garden adjacent to a hedge alongside Rushall Canal. Their former, still visible, nest was located ca.100 yards beyond Gillity Bridge (date engraved 1866), constructed of sticks and lined with soft down feathers. Whilst the cock swam about within the vicinity, presumably guarding the nest, the clutch of eggs was unknown, but, ordinarily, number 5-7/nest, hatching after 36 days. The hen was always seen incubating her eggs, dragging down feathers under her belly, and, as there were no signets in sight, one could presume that either a fox or large pike had probably eaten them. There was no indication of vandalism nor of lead poisoning from fishing weights (banned in 1987). The cock was very friendly and swam right up to the canal’s edge to eat bread crumbs and other treats offered from pedestrian walkers. It was large (ca. 1.30m) with a long, graceful, S-shaped neck and pointed tail. It had a classic orange bill with a black knob base and its head feathers were a dull yellow-orange. It was constantly scooping its bill in the shallow water of the canal and eating floating bits of bread, pondweed, algae and snails. There are ca.25,000 breeding pairs in UK.

Posted on May 28, 2024 03:51 PM by