Black Swan

[Ian Foster]

Yesterday (Saturday 16th July) I went to have a look over Dorman's Pool as I normally do and was surprised to find the pair of Black Swan's that have been present for a while now very close to the hide, just beyond the fence (as close as they can get without leaving the water).

I then noticed a Mute Swan just to the left of them that had it's neck snagged on the Barbed Wire fence. This bird was motionless and still was 15 minutes later so presumed it was dead!

What I did notice was the Black Swan's appeared to be fascinated by the Mute Swan and looked to be trying to get as close to it as possible (hanging over it like the Grim Reaper maybe?) One of the Black Swan's was even calling quite loudly and acting quite agitated...

Surprisingly (considering I thought it was dead) the Mute Swan suddenly started to fling it's body about a bit and managed to free itself from the Barbed Wire fence. It instantly left the water and stood still for a short while, obviously not looking to happy about the situation. It then started to walk to the right towards the southern end of Dorman's and as it did so the pair of Black Swan followed it (like a pair of "Black" Vultures maybe?) keeping as close as possible just over the fence line...when the Mute Swan eventually went back under the fence and into the water the Black Swan's stopped following and quickly drifted away.

This is the first time I've seen the pair of Black Swan at the southern end of Dorman's and in fact were very close to the third single Black Swan on site. This third Black Swan appeared very wary of the pair and strongly swam away from them as they approached! The pair then drifted off back to the Northern end.

I wonder whether this sort of behaviour is normal for Swans? Were they showing concern for the presumed dead Mute Swan or are they Black Swans of Death (only joking of course, although that would be a good name for a Death Metal Band)?

Cheers

Ian.