Wildlife spotting

[Buelligan]

I was just talking about your swans to my brother, he suggested that the two new ones might be migratory, Bewick's or whoopers and your mother and cygnets, mute swans (who don't).  The new ones just looking for somewhere to overwinter.  Obvs, just a guess.  But he said daily feeding, both groups separately is his advice too (I love it when someone, even if it is my bro, backs me up).  He reckons that's your best hope of keeping the cygnets and their mother happy (along with getting advice from reputable people - not him or I) and he sent you all his best, as do I.

[Buelligan]

Just to add on the territory/feeding logic, he pointed out that places like Slimbridge have loads of swans and they tolerate each other because they're not stressed about food.

[BlodwynPig]

Thanks to your kind brother, Buells, but they are definitely mute as well and the cobb has a big cob on!

Will call RSPCA and feed. What food do you recommend, they didn't bother with potatoes, lettuce or apple - I checked that these are ok.

[Buelligan]

I haven't done much feeding of swans and waterfowl, I used to know someone who did - some kind of ancient birdy weird-o, almost certainly dead now - he recommended pelleted food but I can't recall the name (useless) and frozen peas (no longer frozen) and, I think, wheat (but that last bit might be wrong).  Sorry to be of such low-grade help, hopefully someone better will come along shortly.

[BlodwynPig]

The invaders


The attack


The besieged

[Buelligan]

I always think mutes are the nicest, hope that's not evil, they're just so beautiful and it looks like a really lovely place for them.  I do hope you can support them all to live in a harmonious socialist collective together.  Ply them with peas and wheat.

[BlodwynPig]

Trumpeters are my favourite - the sound of them in early morning fog was a highlight in canada.

[paruses]

Thanks to your kind brother, Buells, but they are definitely mute as well and the cobb has a big cob on!

Will call RSPCA and feed. What food do you recommend, they didn't bother with potatoes, lettuce or apple - I checked that these are ok.

When I was a Birmingham well intentioned sikh guys used to turn up at various swan pools with bin bags of samosas and biryani left over from weddings the previous night. At first I thought it was elaborate fly tipping but turns out it is part of some sort of spiritual duty to feed other creatures and not be wasteful (and probably a bit of fly tipping).  Perhaps you could get in touch with some local sikhs.

From my time spent with swan people I remember taking bags of grain to feed them in (like buelligan says of her swan man). Not sure how much you have as a budget but one of the farmer's co-ops like Wynnstay (or your equivalent) would probably sell 25kg bags for not a huge sum. Best to throw into the water when feeding rather than on the shore -they will find it - otherwise they lumber out onto the land and are more vulnerable to things and could habituate to that being the way to find food (obvs we used to lure them out to catch them so  that proves my point at the cost of making me look like a monster).

Was just having a look around and there seems to be a bit of a "bread's not bad but not great" campaign going on as people stopped feeding swans Mother's Pride in cities and the swans started to starve.

[Buelligan]

I would add, my ancient swan human was virulently against bread or anything in the water which encouraged algae blooms or rotted.  He didn't like bread because he considered it very bad for animals (full of salt and sugar, no real food value etc) but was also quite animated on the subject of avoiding upsetting the balance of the water[nb]obviously, it depends on how big the water is and how much food is lying at the bottom, fermenting but the lake we were involved in was not small by any stretch, so there's that[/nb] they were using as habitat.

The farmer's co-op wheat sounds a great plan, that, and huge catering packs of frozen peas. 

[BlodwynPig]

I tried with some remnant peas a few months ago - nada. The only thing they've actually been spotted eating is the grain I gave them.

[Buelligan]

Then you have your answer, off to the farmer's stores with you, pig!  And take your cheque book.

[BlodwynPig]

Some positives. Cygnest and mother back in the small pond while invaders are in the big pond. Took peas but they were not so interested. A few tasters. However, the invaders scoffed them up, the bastards.

[BlodwynPig]

Thinking about her breaks my heart. Lost her partner and two cygnets and now being hounded by gestapo swans. I would give my life to bring her happiness and comfort.

[paruses]

Thinking about her breaks my heart. Lost her partner and two cygnets and now being hounded by gestapo swans. I would give my life to bring her happiness and comfort.

Sounds like an equilibrium might have been found and she might find love again (am only phrasing that facetiously because as Bert Coleman - the man who ringed the deceased Swan - once told me "don't think they're not shagging around").

Forgot to say I really liked your swan pics. Realised it's ages since I have seen one in the flesh.

[Buelligan]

Please don't give your life dear hog.  If you can bear to, go on Amazon and buy a 20kg bag of whole wheat for £10.99 (free delivery), you can even place your order by clicking through Barry's link on the homepage here, I believe.  Keep your lovely life.

[BlodwynPig]

Sounds like an equilibrium might have been found and she might find love again (am only phrasing that facetiously because as Bert Coleman - the man who ringed the deceased Swan - once told me "don't think they're not shagging around").

Forgot to say I really liked your swan pics. Realised it's ages since I have seen one in the flesh.

thanks. well the sun was out today (final time this year?) and I went for an extended walk but not before I popped over to see how they were doing. Amazing. The cygnets were barrel rolling and mimicking the mother with flexing wings. Seemed very happy and not at all interested in peas. There were some odd noises from the reeds, no idea what animal, but didn't see. The other swans have started to settle on the little island (where the previous pair had nested), so perhaps things are in equilibrium. And the dragonflies made a reappearance too!



There was a thread with some 'big cow' pictures. Saw this bull today, the image doesn't do it justice. Double the size of the females.

[BlodwynPig]

I reckon a Vagrant Darter as opposed to the common one? if so, its pretty far north.

[Blue Jam]

Just been to my loch to check in the cob, the pen and the cygs. All seven swans-a-swimming were present and correct. Fed them some sunflower and pumpkin seeds and when some cuntbeaks tried to join the party they told them to get tae. Good work swans, send them to the lower loch where the small wimpy swans hang out.

The swans made a beeline for me and followed me for a bit when I walked away. I'd like to think they recognise me now but I imagine they just see any human as a Bringer Of The Food and lock onto their target. A mallard couple and their third wheel also came right up to me on the bank so I fed them as well. Not the gulls though, they can get fucked.

The Canada Geese had all fucked off, presumably following the railway lines to Aberdeen and beyond.

[Voltan (Man of Steel)]

Had my first bit of success with my wildlife camera recently. I'm no expert but I've been researching online and was very happy to capture pics of (I think) a pine marten and red-throated hummingbird. More to come I hope.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

I think that's an eel (top) and a mollusc (below)

[Voltan (Man of Steel)]

Really? Well whatever they are they've got a taste for fat balls.

[paruses]

Really? Well whatever they are they've got a taste for fat balls.

I bet they have the dirty ... etc.

[Ptolemy Ptarmigan]

Who's a pretty bird bastard then? https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/beware-great-grey-shrike-pretty-songbird-temperament-vlad-impaler-175618

I never knew that was what a shrike does to its victims (trigger warning for gory photos). Practical, though.

[Menu]

Thinking about her breaks my heart. Lost her partner and two cygnets and now being hounded by gestapo swans. I would give my life to bring her happiness and comfort.

This is such a sad story. Big Respect to you for showing them such love and attention. I can't even begin to understand why nature is so cruel but if I was a football commentator I'd say it all evens out over a season, even though I know that's not true. At least they had your love which they wouldn't have had if you weren't there. Big Respect!

[BlodwynPig]

This is such a sad story. Big Respect to you for showing them such love and attention. I can't even begin to understand why nature is so cruel but if I was a football commentator I'd say it all evens out over a season, even though I know that's not true. At least they had your love which they wouldn't have had if you weren't there. Big Respect!

Thank you menu. Dare I say, troubles have passed. I went today after 4 days away and all five seemed to be getting along - at least they were all together and apart from a few grunts and hoots, the invaders did not seem aggressive and the cygnets were relaxed. Was treated to this as I turned to wave them goodbye for the evening.



I half imagined I saw five beaked faces staring in awe into the sky through light rain!

[bgmnts]

I hope this sets you on the path to veganism.

[BlodwynPig]

I hope this sets you on the path to veganism.

Havent eaten meat for months

[bgmnts]

That's a good start. Proud of you!

I'm glad the swannies are getting along.

[BlodwynPig]

Start? What's the journey, brethren Green Elf?

[bgmnts]

Bin dairy and eggies and any product that you know harms animals. Thats all one can really do.