There
have been very few sightings over the years
11:43, 8
MAR 2019
A black
swan has been spotted on Rathlin
Island for the first time in over a century.
Native to
Western Australia, black swans sightings are relatively unusual in the wild
with many thought to have escaped from private collections.
The
birds, which have similar needs to native white mute swans and flock towards
the same sort of habitats, were first introduced to the UK as ornamental birds.
An RSPB spokesman
said: "It is the first time a black swan has been recorded on Rathlin
since the 1880s. It was seen swimming alongside whooper swans on Kebble
Lough on the island.
"There
have been very few sightings of black swans in Northern Ireland over the years.
Any that have been spotted are thought to be captive birds that have escaped
from private collections.
"Earlier
in the week a visitor to RSPB Portmore Lough Reserve near Aghalee
in Co Antrim reported seeing a black swan alongside whooper swans in
neighbouring fields. It is not unusual to see a black swan on Portmore
Lough as there are swans in private collections in the area. Another one was
spotted on the lough before Christmas.
"They
have also been seen in Inch in Co Donegal recently and there were media reports
of one at the Waterworks in north Belfast back in 2012.
"Black
swans could be found on almost any water body. They have similar habitat
requirements to mute swans and are often found in the same areas."
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