That Didn’t Last Long!
Well it was a frosty reception from the word go. The mute swans were never welcomed with open wings and within two hours they’d gone.
Not surprising really when you look at theses great pictures from Brian Irvine. Lesson for all – don’t mess about in Sandall Park!
The good news though is that a 30+ flock of Redwings and flock of 12+ Mistle Thrush were seen in the park at the same. No photo’s (yet) but Brian is on the case……… Why doesn’t my little camera take pictures like these?
January 27th, 2010 in
News
What a pity the mute swans couldnt stay, they are lovely sociable birds, very fond of humans ! It seems black swans are fiercely territorial too ? Are you going to have a Swanblog 2010 ? ? ? You had 2009 and 2008. Did your swans manage to keep any open water during the Big Freeze in january ? ? ?
Here I saw a mink ( first I’ve ever seen ) in the water just as the thaw started – - first there was a complete hush, then every single duck suddenly rushed away, and then all the swans shot off too, and a little black mink came swimming past, very bad news, as all the birds were frozen into one small ‘pond’ at the end of the lake, but so far no birds have been attacked.
Yes we will certainly be having a swan blog for 2010 – we usually start when the new cygnets arrive. The wildlife managed to keep an area free of ice during the freeze but the problem was that dogs ran on the ice to chase the ducks and then slid into the water and on two occasions could not get out. On both occasions the dog owners or passers by tried to rescue the dogs and then had to be rescued themselves!