Gazboatman Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) Spotted this one today on the L&L at Rodley.. Anyone else seen one of these? First one I've seen on the canal network anyway. Lovely bird. Edited November 21, 2013 by Gazboatman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timleech Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I'm told they can be (even) more aggressive than our native swans. I don't know how true that is. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Toad in the Hole Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Native of New Zealand. There are an increasing number of escapees. Used as an illustration of the Scientific Method, doncha know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bastion Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 saw loads a few weeks ago on the river Yarra Melbourne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerra Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Spotted this one today on the L&L at Rodley.. Anyone else seen one of these? First one I've seen on the canal network anyway. Lovely bird. I haven't seen a Black Swan actually on a canal but I have seen them from the canal if you see what I mean (An area of water visible from the canal). Brought to this country from Australia in 1791 they first bred in the wild in 1851. The 2008 - 2011 BTO Atlas shows them as present in 3% of the Tetrads of the country and having been proved to breed in 1%. Probably bred (birds present in the right habitat at the right time of year) in another 1% As you say lovely birds and for once an alien species which hasn't run riot taking over the countryside (unlike the Canada Goose).. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Crown Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Hi, not seen them on a canal, at least one on the River Avon at Wyre Piddle. Plus a pair on the old Mill pond at the factory up the Tramway trail from Bugsworth Basin Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Toad in the Hole Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Native of New Zealand. There are an increasing number of escapees. Used as an illustration of the Scientific Method, doncha know? rush of wine blood to the brain. Yes, Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1uk Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 There are quite a few on the Thames at Reading. The young aren't very black at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pipe Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) A few on the Thames as well Someone was quicker than me. Edited November 21, 2013 by Jim Evans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerra Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 The young aren't very black at all! Just like Mute Swan young aren't very white! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDR Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) There's a pair on the Thames between around the entrance to the K&A. I have heard stories of them attacking ducklings and even cygnets but have never seen it happen, their reputation may be due to the way they defend their nests. I was told they were probably originally escapees from Child Beale wildlife park. They certainly make a lot of noise when they appear alongside looking for food. ETA: Repeat of posts above! Edited November 21, 2013 by JDR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormbringer Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Just like Mute Swan young aren't very white! Nor very mute, if the ones round here are typical ! They seem to like to mimic all sorts, from sea gulls to barking dogs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FadeToScarlet Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 We had a pair here on the Cam, until the female died. The male was left behind, and known as Squeaky because of the noise he made, until he was finally driven off by other swans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Ambrose Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 We had a breeding pair nest near us whenm we moored on the Broads, they do in fact have a lot of white on them but only visible when stretching their wings. Oh and they are not alone in attacking ducklings, our native swans will do likewise Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerra Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Nor very mute, if the ones round here are typical ! They seem to like to mimic all sorts, from sea gulls to barking dogs... Yes! God alone knows why anybody would call such a vocal bird Mute! At least Mute Swan is easier to get your tongue round rather than Cygnus olor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 There was one at Billingon the Nene last summer and very pretty indeed, but I only saw the one, very stunning with the ebony feathers and crimson beak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offcumden Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 When we first moved up here there was a family of them on the river below Bingley five rise C&RT must have moved them on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGA Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 I haven't seen a Black Swan actually on a canal but I have seen them from the canal if you see what I mean (An area of water visible from the canal). Brought to this country from Australia in 1791 they first bred in the wild in 1851. The 2008 - 2011 BTO Atlas shows them as present in 3% of the Tetrads of the country and having been proved to breed in 1%. Probably bred (birds present in the right habitat at the right time of year) in another 1% As you say lovely birds and for once an alien species which hasn't run riot taking over the countryside (unlike the Canada Goose).. Who's got an Observers book of birds then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughty Cal Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 There used to be one on the Fossdyke when we first had the boat there. He disappeared a few years back but was later spotted on the Trent (same bird as it had a distinctive patterning on its head!!) We first saw them on the Broads when we were hiring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo No2 Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Having been brought up in NZ they were quite common to me as a child but they are quite beautiful in my opinion. On this link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Swan) there's a lovely picture of one in flight showing the contrasting white flight feathers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftycarper Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 there have been black swans on the river that runs through dawlish warren in devon for as many years as i can remember its what the town has always been known for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Trackman Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Seen one often at fazeley. I think someone posted a picture of it on here. Oh and off topic but it is birds-we are disappointed to hear so few owls so were astonished to hear a tawny outside Sainsbury's in the middle of Nottingham the other evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulG Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 We see them quite often on the Severn. Local opinion is that they are escapees from the WWT at Slimbridge. They don't really prosper in the UK as they are a gregarious bird, whereas our own Mute Swan becomes very territorial and agressive during the breeding season. The Black Swan, being smaller, usually comes out second best during these confrontations, often fatally so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harpur Hill Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Lots of rose coloured swans in Yorkshire. HH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerra Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Having been brought up in NZ they were quite common to me as a child but they are quite beautiful in my opinion. On this link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Swan) there's a lovely picture of one in flight showing the contrasting white flight feathers Thanks for that I haven't seen one in flight, they must be impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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