Wildlife Watch - Being Vigilant !

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.

Nairn Police Good Samaritans

Concern over a Swan seen on the A96 road between Nairn and Auldearn prompted the Police to give me a call over it's condition. Not having a car the police gave me a lift to the scene, and the Swan was now in an adjacent field.

 I could detect no apparent injuries and it seemed lively enough. It may well have clipped some power lines not too far away ( in one of the photo's.) It was just over a year old going by the colour of it's bill, so I left it alone to recover, it will hopefully take off later. Nice to know that our local police also keep an eye out for the wildlife. 

Another recent casualty that did require medication was a pigeon with neck injuries and unable to swallow food. I took it home last Friday and on advice from a pigeon man gave it some flagyl for the mouth and throat infection. 

This seemed to do the trick and within a few days was able to eat. The neck injury may have been caused by a Sparrowhawk initially and then it was picked on by other birds because of it's condition. At least now it has a chance of survival by being able to eat !

Riverside News

I had someone call me today warning about a Dangerous dog that attacked and bit them close to the Jubilee bridge yesterday (Sunday). They were walking when a Man about 30, with a light coloured (white /fawn) Alsatian approached, and the dog bit his hand which required hospital treatment. His natural reaction was to hold his hands up away from the dog , when the dog owner told him "don't do that because the dog will attack you" !! The dog then had a go at a woman walker as well. This dog is obviously a danger to anyone who is likely to encounter it and should be leaded and muzzled. The Police would like to trace the dog and owner, so if anyone knows who it is, you could ring 01667 452222 and let them know - the leash the 30 year old man had but did not use, was red coloured.

Seems like the vandals are still alive and well too, since I saw an ironing board in the river today, maybe the flounders are not flat enough yet and need ironing !

The geese are arriving in greater numbers now, bang on time for the annual migration southwards, this heralds the start of Winter in the not too distant future !
The tree cutters were busy between the sewage and road bridges today, it remains to be seen how this project will turn out. I hope they leave the dogwood bushes alone, since they give shelter to small animals and birds over the winter. (Last winters pic of mouse, blue tit and chaffinch below)

 They only need pruning to bring out the coloured twigs in Winter.

Assailant in Custody

I was informed tonight by Nairn Police that a man will appear in court tomorrow after admitting pushing me into the river. I must congratulate Nairn Police on their very efficient police work and quick resolution of this crime. I can only add that whatever justice is given out in this case, the guy should thank his lucky stars he is not charged with culpable homicide. I had a look today where I hit the river bed and noticed that I missed a sharp paving stone by a few inches.

My concern for the Swans well being may inadvertently have saved my own life. About twice a year I go into this part of the river and clear it of dangerous objects that might harm or impale the Swans, I may well have done myself a huge favour !

I have not yet tried my camera and will give it another day or two to dry out.

Meanwhile I can give you a few shots I took earlier this week, when a cormorant caught an eel and then had to swallow it quickly because the cob wanted to see what it had . Needless to say the Cormorant did not have time to properly dispatch the eel and spent 10 minutes trying to keep it down ! It's called one over the 8.