Yesterday, while walking my dog in the nature reserve, it was lovely the see that the swans had laid an egg and were nesting in the bullrushes near the path and little bridge leading up to Juniper Way. Today, however, I was saddened to see that someone had thrown large sticks into the nest and the egg had gone. The swan was still trying to nest and sit on the sticks expectantly.
Whoever did this should feel so much shame. I don’t know if the swans will be able to lay another egg this year but thought that if they did, it would be a good idea to set up a watching brief close to their nest to deter thugs from destroying these beautiful creatures’ nest. This could be simply a rota of local people willing to sit in close proximity to the nest for an hour at a time to guard it. What do other people think about this? With so many local people enjoying the nature reserve I would hope to have many volunteers. I would happily organise something like this.
NatureLover
Photo: Archive picture (from 2012) of a swans’ nest at the lake in the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve, Bradley Stoke.
Why doesn’t our local council put up CCTV to watch them I’m sure one of the house will accommodate the cameras for a while
Yes, I walked past the swans area around 7am this morning and noticed that the swans were looking very ‘lost’. As you say, their nest had been speared with sticks and rubbish bags had been thrown towards them (I suspect in an attempt to frighten them away).
Did you know that killing a swan or stealing a swans egg carries a £5,000 fine or 6 months in jail. In my opinion, both of those should be imposed.
One of the conservation volunteers does have a camera but I’m not sure it’s suitable. Any one know of a company who could loan us one? We keep trying to get them to nest on the island where it’s safer but didn’t work, maybe we should try again.
We were talking today of making a new screen to deter dogs and casual ‘viewers’ if they are going to nest on the reeds