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With spring on the way and the nesting season to follow, it's good to Know that the 145 members of the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust will be keeping a vigilant eye on the riverside. I would ask all members to keep a watchful eye for any person acting suspiciously, particularly near the swans island. Those members who reside in Fishertown and Harbour street, and on the riverside from Water lane to the bailey bridge, are particularly valuable for keeping a close watch on our resident swans welfare.
The safety and welfare of our river wildlife is of paramount concern to the Trust, any attempt to harm them or their nesting sites should be reported to the police immediately. Either on 101 or Nairn police station 452222.
For the past 10 days I have noticed a Rock dove in the garden with what appeared to be a huge growth on it's neck or crop. I mentioned this to trust member and pigeon man Paul Thomson, and he said it may have been in collision with something and this could have ruptured the air bags within the neck causing the inflated crop.
Today while feeding the garden birds I got the surprise of my life when the injured rock dove ventured into my front doorway. I slowly closed the door and trapped it on the window ledge.
Mindful of my recent bout of pneumonia caught from close contact with pigeons, I quickly put on a special mask I bought before wrapping the bird in a towel. I could feel no tumour growth so came to the conclusion that this was indeed trapped air from an accident.
Having had a collapsed lung myself about 13 years ago, I remembered how the doctors in Raigmore hospital re-inflated the lung by inserting a needle into the chest cavity and drawing the air from the chest with a syringe.
Using a syringe from my wildlife medical kit I basically did the same to the rock dove - except I was deflating the crop area. After drawing 3 syringes full of air, the crop size was reduced by more than half.
The rock dove was content and seemed to realise I was helping it, now feeding and acting normally where previously it could not,
because the air filled area was pushing it's head to the right and blocking it's sight on the left with protruding feathers.
On release it walked out the door and immediately started eating normally...job done, it made my day !!
With Spring approaching, the male birds plumage becomes more colourful and attractive to the females.
Looking good means taking time out for preening, as was the case for this Male red breasted Merganser.
I was lucky enough not to be noticed as I took the shots.
Taking advantage of exceptional tidal conditions, it looks like Popeye and Penny have managed to expel the cygnets from the river - bar one.
Today they had Peace at last, and enjoyed a wheat meal together.
The cygnets are testing the patience of Penny and are reluctant to leave the river for good.....so far !
This week sees the highest spring tides this year due to rare planetary line-up, this will mean exceptional high and low tidal conditions on Friday and Saturday.
Today's mild conditions meant snow melt raising the river level, which stymied the earthmover from crossing to complete repairs to the moat.
Our other local river birds are frequently to be seen on the lower river - such as the Goosander.
As predicted, the cygnets appear to have taken the hint and leave the river - all but one !
After several weeks being hassled,
the settled spring like weather was the catalyst for Popeye and Penny to give them the final push - The world is now their oyster !
The settled weather continues and sunshine lifts the spirits !
The wildlife sense the coming of spring and pairing up is well under way.
The snowdrops add confirmation.
Popeye takes a nap, along with one of his offspring !
Chasing cygnets around is tiring work !
With settled weather and high pressure, this is the most likely time for Popeye and Penny to finally chase the cygnets away from their birthplace.
Today they ramped up the pressure by giving chase to all the cygnets in turn,
spring is in the air and it's time for all to start a new season.
Sari the duck with apparent blindness in the left eye seems to be making a remarkable recovery. I have noticed over the past couple of weeks that the white membrane over her left eye has become more transparent. She can now see any food that lands within 6 inches or so of her left side, and able to grab it. She also has her mate close by.
Viewers might remember on a previous post that I gave her a weeks course of antibiotics to see if that would help prevent any further deterioration in her sight. I am delighted that she now appears to be making further progress ! I have also been monitoring a drake with a broken leg, he has made a full recovery - cheering news on a cold winters day !
The Nairn King Street Co-op have generously allowed a fund raising session in their store. This will be in the form of collection buckets at the check out. The River Nairn Swans and waterfowl Trust supply over 3 tons of Grain and feed for our local river wildlife as well as caring for their habitat and environment we also look after their veterinary needs when required. This costs over £2500 a year as well as many hours of unpaid voluntary man hours. The Nairn Co-op shoppers have always given generously in the past, and I hope they will do so again. To become a member of the Trust costs £15 and can be done safely on-line, using the donate button on this page, any amount donations will be welcome of course !
