Black swans on the Deben

[Bob Stay]

Just met these chaps, never seen them before they eat out of your hand, and make little hooting sounds to demand food!

 

[Debenair]

There was one up in Woodbridge in 2009 if I recall.
They must be escapees as I think they are native to W Australia?

I saw a family of 5 in the Veerse Meer in about 2004, swimming in tight formation line ahead. The parents at head and tail of the column were incredibly protective and aggressive.

 

[Leighb]

There has been one in the Orwell recently, we saw it up in Ipswich docks, but has also been seen at pin Mill, often in the company of two mute swans.

Perhaps it has found a buddy and moved house?

 

[Sinbad1951]

Black swans are the national bird of Western Australia and can be seen on that state flag. They are common in both southeast and western Ozzie. Largely monogamous many of their pairings are male/male hence they have trouble reproducing. Now there's a surprise.

 

[benw]

Now look at what your missing out on?

 

[CX54WEK]

We used to have one in Lincoln but have not seen it for a few years now.

One appeared on the Trent shortly after ours disappeared so perhaps he moved on. Was almost always seen with a pair of Mute Swans and appeared to help them raise their young.

 

[Chalk]

I saw that one with two mutes a fortnight ago on the Stour at Shotley.

 

[DavidofMersea]

On my wall I have a Den Philips 2005 Calendar, and September shows a black swan in Maldon