Black swans on the River

[Outinthedinghy]

I saw 4 black swans yesterday. I don't remember seeing them on the river before. Are they breeding somewhere or do they fly in? They were close to the entrance to T&K marina, on the River.

 

[No Regrets]

Found in quite large numbers around T&K as they breed there!

Beautiful to look at, and originally from Australia, so all the navigational skills of Mark Thatcher by all accounts.

Not sure the Queen admits to owning them though... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[ADLS]

Saw one just up river from Henley back in the summer. Some white swans were giving it a hard time, but that might heve only been that they had young with them. Don't think it was racial!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[No Regrets]

Funnily enough, we saw the single Black being molested by a group of White ones, which were making a honking noise, so must have been 'Honkys' /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

The black one retaliated in a fiersome fashion, and we were really rather impressed!

We gave it some cake.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Ramage]

I thought Black Swans were the result of a Swan being too close to a diesel boat on start-up........


/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[sturmvogel190a]

The Black swans at T&K well kick ass when it comes to fights with the white ones and there is little doubt which ones rule the roost.
Attitude like a scrap yep they are Australian then /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[No Regrets]

You found that too Steve?

Seriously, the lone Black Swan scared off three or four 'Honkies'

Unreal..... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[sturmvogel190a]

Yes John they can well handle themselves and its often the White Swans that start it and after they have you can almost see the look on there faces,what have i started here face!.
Dont know if you remember the big yellow submarine in the middle of the marina but if so it motored past us the other night whilst we were moored above sonning lock,after large amounts of red wine i had to do a double take as she went by no lights just the glow of a someone smoking on the top of the conning tower.
Had to stop myself shouting out match bearings and shoot dive dive dive ,Well you had to be there bit silly the no lights thing Steve.

 

[No Regrets]

Classic stuff /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ctelfer38]

I have an interest in knowing more about these black swans. I am based at St Katharine Dock and my outward route is always seaward so I hope you will excuse the naive question - where is T&K? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[pande]

T&K - Thames & Kennet is just above Sonning

 

[sturmvogel190a]

T & K is on the outskirts of Reading across from where the river Kennet comes into the thames,Seen large flocks of these black Swans whilst out in australia and they dont seem to scrap with each other out there as much.
There is one family of them living in the marina who do very well begging off the boats on there moorings Steve.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

One of the ones I saw looked a bit faded, maybe they fade in the sun. When I have seen them on lakes in parks they are very dark black. I suppose the lighter colour could be to do with them being young, the other way round from white swans which go from being grey to white as they get older. obviously.

 

[ctelfer38]

cheers /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[sturmvogel190a]

Only noticed the other day for the first time that when you see them flying[not very often] the last 8" or so of there wings are white which looks very odd Steve.