Can the Queen stop world's worst swan? Angry bird sinks squadron of model boats

Eight hand-built boats, with a combined worth of £15,000, have been destroyed by the swan so far.

By Staff Reporter

July 21, 2016 15:59 BST

A destructive swan's relentless targeting of model boats has prompted one enthusiast to beg the British Queen for help in dealing with the dangerous bird. The mute swan is known to patrol Needham Lake, Suffolk, attacking ducks and geese thought to be on its stretch and smashing up eight model boats so far – some of which are worth up to £15,000 ($20,000).

In a throwback to medieval times – technically, the British Crown owns all unmarked mute swans – one boat owner, who had had two of his models attacked, went so far as to write to Queen Elizabeth II urging her to take action.

He told the East Anglian Daily News "I wrote to the Queen telling her the swan is a menace and I would like him to be moved on if possible... I would like to be able to boat in peace."

Treasurer of the Gripping Valley Model Boat Club, Cliff Galsworthy told the paper that the swan is a "menace": "He attacked my boat nearly straight after I put it in. I have spent about 10 full days trying to repair it. It took about six months to build and he just smashed it to pieces."

Read on … 

Dramatic swan rescue on the Pevensey Levels

Three men and two ambulances were recently involved in a dramatic rescue of an injured Mute Swan that had been spotted completely covered in blood.

The injured Mute Swan was eventually gathered
up safely but not before its rescuer,
Trevor Weeks, was thoroughly soaked

The East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) in the shape of Trevor Weeks MBE of Uckfield, Chris Riddington of Eastbourne, and Tony Neads of Polegate, rushed to the scene and found the swan in a field just west of the road between the village of Wartling and Pevensey Service Station.

“I’ve never seen anything quite like it” says Riddington. “The swan was completely red, there were no white feathers at all, just blood everywhere.”

Unfortunately, the rescue effort were hampered by flooding across the field. On the first attempt at capture the swan managed to take off.

“We were really surprised that the swan flew but as it was so windy it really didn’t take much more than opening it wings in order to take off” ssys Weeks.

Continued ...

RSPCA appeal after Thamesmead thugs 'destroy' swan's nest and 'kill' mother

11:29am Saturday 31st May 2014 in NewsBy Dan Keel

Thugs appear to have destroyed a swan's nest in Thamesmead and killed the mother bird.

News Shopper has received multiple reports of youngsters being seen throwing rocks at a mute swan's nest in Southmere Lake on Wednesday.

It appears the female adult swan was killed and the eggs destroyed in the alleged attack.

Chris Waite, who took this picture, posted on Facebook: "Just sickening, why throw rocks at swans eggs...no need for this at all, the mother swan is also dead...well done — at Southmere Lake."

Continued

New York Will Consider Nonlethal Ways to Reduce Swan Population

Score one for swan fans.

A proposal to eradicate mute swans in New York State by killing them met such a backlash that New York Department of Environmental Conservation announced on Friday that it would consider nonlethal means to control the invasive birds.

Swans were introduced to the United States from Europe in the 19th century, but wildlife officials say the beautiful birds destroy habitat for native waterfowl and can attack ducks, geese and even people.

A draft management plan to wipe out the state’s entire population of swans was met with a fierce outcry when it was made public in January. The environmental conservation department received 16,000 form letters in protest, and 30,000 signatures on various petitions.

Continued

Speaking Up for the Mute Swan

By HUGH RAFFLESFEB. 17, 2014

THE Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing to kill New York State’s entire population of free-ranging mute swans, those graceful white water birds long treasured as symbols of romance and fidelity. New Yorkers have until Feb. 21 to submit responses to a plan that calls for the removal by 2025 of the estimated 2,200 birds by methods that could include shooting, gassing, decapitation and egg addling.

Mute swans — so called because they’re not generally vocal, their most arresting sound being the beating of their wings — arrived in New York from Europe in the late 19th century, imported as aristocratic decoration for country estates. They adapted with ease and soon spread to public lands, where they were embraced for their beauty and as evidence of environmental health. Only in recent decades, as conservationists’ preoccupation with the geographical origins of species has intensified, have these immigrants with established communities on Long Island, in the Hudson Valley and on Lake Ontario become perceived as a problem.

Continued

State senator calls for a hold on DEC’s swan plan

17 February 2014, 11:55 am by Mike Risinit 

State Sen. Tony Avella wants to establish a two-year moratorium on New York’s plan to eliminate all mute swans in the wild by 2025 and limit a few to captive situations like parks and zoos.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation proposed such a plan last month, explaining the long-necked white birds are an invasive species that are destroying natural habitats and harming native waterfowl. The measure has garnered petitions and public opposition, although it is supported by the National Audubon Society and other conservation organizations.

About 2,200 mute swans live in New York, according to the state, up from fewer than 700 in the 1970s. They are descended from birds brought from Europe in the 1800s to grace estates, wildlife experts say.

Continued

Lone mother swan struggling to bring up her flock - UPDATE

Mute swan single mother bringing up the kids on her own

June/July 2013. Mute swans are reasonably common and widespread across the UK, but we have not had one on our local pond since we have been here (10 years) until 2013. Earlier this year, a pair took up residence, and duly produced a clutch of eggs amongst the vegetation on the small island. 

The swan's mate was killed shortly after she laid her eggs when
 he flew into a power line. Photo Copyright Wildlife Extra

Tragically, shortly after the eggs were laid, the male (Cob) swan flew into some overhead cables and was killed, leaving the mother (Pen) to look after her eggs and then to bring up the cygnets by herself. 

June 13th. So far, the pen has proved an exemplary mother, hatching all 8 eggs (on about 17th May) and managing to keep all of her cygnets alive for the first 2 weeks. 

July 13th. A month on, and the super mum has done incredibly well. All 8 cygnets still exist, which is extraordinary. The cygnets are growing strongly, and will soon become a considerable force in their own right. Just yesterday a heron landed nearby, but was given very short shrift by mum.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/swan-cygnets.html

Lone mother swan struggling to bring up her flock

Mute swan single mother bringing up the kids on her own

June 2013.  Mute swans are reasonably common and widespread across the UK, but we have not had one on our local pond since we have been here (10 years) until 2013. Earlier this year, a pair took up residence, and duly produced a clutch of eggs amongst the vegetation on the small island. 

Tragically, shortly after the eggs were laid, the male (Cob) swan flew into some overhead cables and was killed, leaving the mother (Pen) to look after her eggs and then to bring up the cygnets by herself. 

EARLY MAY, SITTING ON THE EGGS - A

 JOB SHE HAS HAD TO ALONE FOR NEARLY 6 WEEKS

 

So far, the pen has proved an exemplary mother, hatching all 8 eggs (on about 17th May) and managing to keep all of her cygnets alive for the first 2 weeks.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/swan-cygnets.html 

Bird cruelty in North Yorkshire

Last updated Fri 3 May 2013 

Police are appealing for information following birds being shot at Norton Mills Lake at North Stainley in Ripon. 

Canada and Greylag geese and a Mute Swan were all shot through the wings and legs with a rifle leaving them dead or severely injured. 

PC Simon Crossley, a Wildlife Crime Officer with North Yorkshire Police said: “This is an utterly barbaric and sickening attack which has caused quite appalling and prolonged suffering. 

“I urge anyone who can identify those responsible to contact the police immediately.” 

http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/update/2013-05-03/bird-cruelty-in-north-yorkshire/