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Swans
Apr 29, 2008 13:21:41 GMT 1
Post by mickthecactus on Apr 29, 2008 13:21:41 GMT 1
Where I walk the dog along the river, a Swan has been nesting for some while now.
Yesterday it was gone but no sign of it until I went over the bridge and there it was with 7 tiny cygnets.
Today there were only 6....
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Swans
Apr 29, 2008 15:44:14 GMT 1
Post by madonplants on Apr 29, 2008 15:44:14 GMT 1
Where I walk the dog along the river, a Swan has been nesting for some while now. Yesterday it was gone but no sign of it until I went over the bridge and there it was with 7 tiny cygnets. Today there were only 6.... That is life unfortunately. Could have been lots of things, like pike, mink, otter even, if hungry. In our society, even kids/grownups taking pot shots. I will never accept the last one, especially as it's illegal!  |
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Swans
Apr 29, 2008 22:11:44 GMT 1
Post by The witch on Apr 29, 2008 22:11:44 GMT 1
Where I walk the dog along the river, a Swan has been nesting for some while now. Yesterday it was gone but no sign of it until I went over the bridge and there it was with 7 tiny cygnets. Today there were only 6.... That's mother nature for you! |
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Swans
Apr 30, 2008 9:10:13 GMT 1
Post by mickthecactus on Apr 30, 2008 9:10:13 GMT 1
Where I walk the dog along the river, a Swan has been nesting for some while now. Yesterday it was gone but no sign of it until I went over the bridge and there it was with 7 tiny cygnets. Today there were only 6.... That's mother nature for you! Wicked old bat.... |
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Swans
Apr 30, 2008 10:30:09 GMT 1
Post by debbiem on Apr 30, 2008 10:30:09 GMT 1
I wonder what happened to the seventh one? I live near the Abbotsbury Swannery and when the cygnets start hatching you have to be cautious and not get too close to the nests if you don't want an encounter with the parents! Maybe the seventh one just didn't make it, as I don't fancy anyone's/anything's chances of grabbing a quick snack with it! |
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Swans
Apr 30, 2008 10:53:50 GMT 1
Post by madonplants on Apr 30, 2008 10:53:50 GMT 1
I wonder what happened to the seventh one? I live near the Abbotsbury Swannery and when the cygnets start hatching you have to be cautious and not get too close to the nests if you don't want an encounter with the parents! Maybe the seventh one just didn't make it, as I don't fancy anyone's/anything's chances of grabbing a quick snack with it! You'd be surprised, Mrs B. 'Large' pike are notorious for taking ducks from the surface and I am sure it wouldn't think twice with a cygnet. What river is it, Mick? |
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Swans
Apr 30, 2008 10:55:56 GMT 1
Post by debbiem on Apr 30, 2008 10:55:56 GMT 1
I wonder what happened to the seventh one? I live near the Abbotsbury Swannery and when the cygnets start hatching you have to be cautious and not get too close to the nests if you don't want an encounter with the parents! Maybe the seventh one just didn't make it, as I don't fancy anyone's/anything's chances of grabbing a quick snack with it! You'd be surprised, Mrs B. 'Large' pike are notorious for taking ducks from the surface and I am sure it wouldn't think twice with a cygnet. What river is it, Mick? You know, I never thought of an attack from 'below' - yes there must be a few predators down there. |
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Swans
Apr 30, 2008 12:23:35 GMT 1
Post by mickthecactus on Apr 30, 2008 12:23:35 GMT 1
I wonder what happened to the seventh one? I live near the Abbotsbury Swannery and when the cygnets start hatching you have to be cautious and not get too close to the nests if you don't want an encounter with the parents! Maybe the seventh one just didn't make it, as I don't fancy anyone's/anything's chances of grabbing a quick snack with it! You'd be surprised, Mrs B. 'Large' pike are notorious for taking ducks from the surface and I am sure it wouldn't think twice with a cygnet. What river is it, Mick? It's a slightly odd "river". It's the New River which was actually dug by hand in the 17th Century to bring fresh water from Amwell Spring in Herts. to London. Mink and Otter are very ulikely and even the Pike aren't that big. What about Masgpies, Crows etc? Plenty of them around. |
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Swans
Apr 30, 2008 16:48:37 GMT 1
Post by madonplants on Apr 30, 2008 16:48:37 GMT 1
You'd be surprised, Mrs B. 'Large' pike are notorious for taking ducks from the surface and I am sure it wouldn't think twice with a cygnet. What river is it, Mick? It's a slightly odd "river". It's the New River which was actually dug by hand in the 17th Century to bring fresh water from Amwell Spring in Herts. to London. Mink and Otter are very ulikely and even the Pike aren't that big. What about Masgpies, Crows etc? Plenty of them around. Possible, but highly unlikely, especially if the parents were good. There are specimen pike in the river, I cheated, cos I checked, so that is possible. Any seagulls about? Could have just been a weak one and had a heart attack. When you saw the seven, were they all swimming well, not one trailing behind, not keeping up? |
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