Scottish SPCA Fowl UP !

Having carefully nurtured Briget in preparation for her trip to Fishcross for care, she was picked up this morning by the Scottish SPCA - but dumped locally in Loch Flemington ! 

Seems because there was no obvious sign of sickness or injury she was released.

This was totally contrary to my wishes, expectations, and what I was led to believe would happen. 

 Will still be at least 4 weeks before Briget will be able to fly again. However I am still concerned for her welfare as she  is only just getting back to full health and I don't know if there's enough natural good feeding in Loch Flemington to continue her recovery. Had I known what the SPCA were going to do, I would have kept her in the care of the Trust for another few weeks. 

Growing new plumage takes energy, and good nutritious feeding, which she would have been assured of with me. The upside is, she wont be able to fly back to the river to be pounced on by Slim and Sue. UPDATE; I have asked a member of the Trust to Check out Briget tomorrow.

Mid Winter Moult

During the 16 years I've observed the River Nairn Swans, I have never experienced a Swan Moulting during the Winter !  

Briget has now become the first adult Swan to do so. Over the past few days I noticed primary flight feathers laying around the riverside where she is located. I can now surmise what may have been the reason for her return to the river at the end of October.

Adult female swans of rearing age would normally moult about six weeks after hatching their eggs, usually in July.  Something possibly traumatic, may have happened to Briget and her family.

 

She may have lost her partner and cygnets, prompting her to forego moulting in July. Her appearance at the end of October in a malnourished and dishevelled condition, leads me to this conclusion.

 Now that she has been cared for with proper nourishment for the past month by the Trust, her health condition has improved enough to moult and renew her plumage.

While this is good news it is also highly dangerous for her, as she can no longer fly to escape a possible deadly attack by Slim and Sue !  

Her age and experience has so far allowed her to outwit and stay one step ahead of the less experienced Slim and Sue, as well as the protection by myself during feeding time. However, moulting takes about 6 weeks, so reluctantly the Trust has decided to have her relocated again to a place of safety. 

She needs continued proper nutrition during this time and the best place will be the National wildlife rescue centre at Fishcross. I have made arrangements for the Scottish SPCA to transport her down there next week. She will be cared for until fit for release and a new beginning. Short video of her preening today.

  

No Awa Tae Bide Awa

Briget apparently used the trip to Findhorn as an away day...for she was back under the Merryton bridge this morning! 

Looks like there's no place like home for our born and bred Nairn river Swans. It's around 10 miles from Nairn to Findhorn as the Crow flies, for a Swan about 12 minutes flying time. The Trust will not take her back into care, and just let Slim and Sue sort it out between them. 

Was fascinating to watch the interaction this morning after I fed Briget, Slim and Sue came up for their feed as Briget slowly moved about 10 yards above the bridge, folded her head down between her wings and pretended to sleep. 

Sue had her wings up but ignored Briget until she finished eating, all very civil. Once the feed was over Sue could not resist slowly venturing up to Briget.

 Was a moment of amazement for me, as Sue and Briget looked at one another almost as if each recognised they were related and Sue gently turned away to re-join Slim and the cygnets. 

Perhaps Sue could see Penny, her mother in her sister, I am pretty sure some recognition took place, that a human could not comprehend.

My feeling now is that a level of tolerance will be allowed until the cygnets are fledged and away from the river. As spring draws nearer and testosterone levels rise, Slim and Sue will seriously drive Briget away.

The series of photo's show the encounter between Sue and Briget this morning.  

Briget Goes East

Briget our Swan visitor in Trust care, is now on her way east for relocation to Findhorn. 

She has been well fed and now weighs in at a healthy 9.6 kg. This is much more than she was a couple of weeks ago, when she arrived in the river in a weak and malnourished condition.

She now has more options to get in touch with a flock or two in open water, and hopefully find a mate. 

She has been happy and content during her stay with me, even to the point of sleeping outside my window and on occasion tapping at the glass !

We wish her well and a good future.

Short video clip below showing just how powerful the wings of a swan are.

Swan Relocation

 The Swan incomer to the river over the past 10 days is proving to be a problem for Slim and Sue who are increasingly aggressive to it. They are capable of driving it away', but also capable of causing fatal injuries to it. 

 This swan is actually related to Sue but several generations apart, it would be a shame if a fatal attack happened.

 The female incomer has been malnourished and obviously has no mate or cygnets this year. 

                            In the best interests of all the river Swans, the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust took the decision to relocate the Incomer today. 

With the help of Donald one of our Trust members and myself, we transported it temporarily to the trust sanctuary. 

Here I can give it peace to eat all it  wants free from intimidation by Slim and Sue. Already it has gained weight since entering the river, and when fully fit I will have the SSPCA relocate it to a safe area with sufficient feeding. 

Have no idea where it came from but it's very tame and has been hand fed by humans. I've called it "Briget" since it has spent most of it's time at the Merryton bridge.

                         I'm fairly certain it was born on the swans island 5 or more years ago, and knows me and the river well. Already it has settled in and 

Disco now has a new friend, if only for a short time. Glad we relocated today with fierce winds forecast. Short video below showing Briget tasting the goodies on offer.