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. 

    

Teeming With Wildlife

Careful nurturing by the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust has ensured a successful season for the birds. 

The Swans island and moat area is currently Teeming with birds, mainly due to the Trust feeding regime and spate conditions. 

With high water, the island is one of the few places where the birds can seek safety from predators and the elements. With around 200 birds the Trust provides about 12 Kilos of Grain daily. Short video below showing happy water birds.

  

DOG DANGER !

Today I found one of our Mallard Drakes dead beside the Merryton bridge. By all accounts it seems to have been a dog attack with paw prints around the carcase.

The nesting season is now underway and it is common for ducks and drakes to be scouting the riverbank for possible nesting sites. The Drakes hang around the area and are sometimes slow to move particularly if they are under a tree and unable to take off easily, this one was under a tree.

I have consistently asked some dog owners to keep their dogs under close control, especially at this time of year through until July at least. The Scottish outdoor access code stipulates this advice.

Some people are determined to ignore this advice and will be reported to the Dog warden and the Police if spotted by Trust members. 

One such woman consistently allows her dog to chase the birds, in spite being asked time and again not to allow it to do so. The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust exists to protect the river birds. The vast majority of dog owners are no problem, but some couldn't care less about other species. Fifty per cent of Scottish birds are ground nesting and will not leave their nest when sitting on eggs, even when the threat to them can be fatal.
The Trust only asks that dog owners keep a wary eye on their dogs, and keep them close by in an area where wildlife abounds. 

Duke Does The Business !

Duke has returned just in time to see off a challenger for the territory. 

Typical Cob he was guarding the island while Penny was organising the nest site, when the challenger came up river.

Duke set off to challenge and saw it off as Penny decided to join in with a very aggressive stance. 

They have been inseparable and eating well since his return, and have mated several times. 

The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust has sent a £200 donation to the Scottish SPCA national wildlife rescue centre today, for the good work, treatment, and safe return of Duke.

Good Suggestion

Received the photo below from a regular Nairn Facebook user regarding a talking point about informative signs about feeding the river birds. 

The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust consider this to be a very good suggestion. Maybe we could get our local councillors to get some signs fixed around Merryton Bridge? The trust has asked our 4 councillors before about getting a few signs around the riverside with no success as yet. Personally I would make a few adjustments to this sign, but in the Main it is sound advice.

RIVER NAIRN SWANS AND WATERFOWL TRUST

The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust has been established just over 8 years. It has been brought to my attention that some individuals say they know nothing about the Trust, other than me Joe Telfer the founder. It's only right therefore that I enlighten them and everyone else about the Trust.
We are an unincorporated association of voluntary unpaid Trustees, with a current membership around 190.
We have a constitution which is a bit lengthy for here, but I will give you Clause 2 which is the primary basis for our existence.

2. The Purposes / objects: of the Trust shall be the advancement, of welfare health, and protection of the River Nairn Swans, waterfowl, and water birds within the tidal reaches of the River Nairn. This includes their nesting island site, associated riverbanks, environment and habitat, for the good of the community and future generations in perpetuity. The trust shall be non political.
                                  _______________

To all intents and purposes we are a charity, but not allowed to state this in our constitution.

Currently we have 4 Trustees, Joe Telfer as Founder Treasurer, Martin Shand as Chairman, Iona Gibson as Secretary, and Sue Hulbert our Avian Adviser.
We will start with Sue Hulbert.  Sue runs a Swan Sanctuary in Swindon, she has 28 years experience in animal welfare and is an Ex council ranger. Although she runs a small swan sanctuary, she also cares for many different birds and animals on a daily basis, including cats for the cats protection league. I am eternally grateful for the assistance that Sue provides with her wealth of avian experience.

Sue is small in stature but catching Swans even in the most difficult situations is something she takes in her stride. She is often asked for her help by the Council, Police, and the RSPCA to assist in rescues. Sue is also a member of the Swan convention. She visited me a while back and spent a couple of days on the riverside passing a professional eye over our river and birds. Her expertise on avian matters is invaluable. We got a thumbs up for the job we are doing. She is also a keen football fan !

Iona joined the Trust as Secretary after being very much inspired by Joe’s selfless efforts over the last 17 years.

Iona believes that the environment is not a commodity - it is there for every living being to exist in harmony. Even in a small town such as Nairn, it is important for the population to guarantee that nature and an urbanised community blend equally. However, to reach a level of true equality, responsibility accountability, and immeasurably matter. 

As such, Iona has been doing her part to learn about and better support the diverse bird life of Nairn, in order to ensure our synergetic continuation. 

Iona hopes that every individual will take the informed initiative to contribute to a collective of environmentally-conscious action from hereon.

Martin our Chairperson works locally in public service  but visits most of the highlands on business, and is also very concerned about wildlife conservation issues. A very keen DIY man and big Nairn County FC fan , with a sense of humour, comes in handy as our handyman with a trailer !

Joe Telfer  Founder Treasurer, Always been keen on the natural world ever since father brought in Trout during rationing after WW2. I remember when he was president of the local angling club in Lanarkshire during the 1950s being taken on a fishing trip to the Tay at Aberfeldy. I discovered my first Robin's nest in the root of an upturned tree, tiny delicate eggs which he made sure I didn't touch.The World and people were different then, Tuberculosis was common, and the bus load of anglers mainly coal miners donated half their catch to the local sanatorium on the way home.
I worked my way round the world for 3 years during the 1960s, I have been in business, ex hunter and fisher, and have had my epiphany moments. I feel passionate about the Natural world the environment and Scotland's natural beauty. With a lifetime of changes - from the milk being delivered by horse and cart to sitting at this computer doing a blog. Familiarity breeds contempt, and the consumerism of society is a major threat to the entire planet. As the apex species I think it's incumbent on us to protect and conserve other species. I concentrate on what I can do personally to protect what I believe is important.
The Trust deals with the Scottish SPCA on a regular basis, the power companies, BT, Network Rail and any others that impact on the wildlife.
Finally our valuable membership, the people who help sustain the Trust with their compassion and love of the Natural world. We have members locally, throughout Scotland and the UK, and some living abroad who keep in touch through the blog postings. The Trust is grateful for your support and pledge to continue caring for our patch of river environment and it's inhabitants.

Rescued Cygnet Reunited

Moray Coast Veterinary Nurse Michelle, delivers the recovering cygnet to the care of River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust at Nairn Harbour.

The excitement was obvious, as the cygnet spotted Mum and the rest of the family. 

Penny gave me the head nod protocol and I did likewise as I put the cygnet into the water.

The cygnet was delighted to be back on home territory, and after the initial welcome from the siblings it was time for a wash and brush up.

After the ordeal of the operation to remove the fishing hook from it's throat and the stress of separation, it's relief was plain to see. The only worry I now have is the fact that it started picking at the dissolving sutures, 

hopefully it wont succeed in re - opening the wound, a careful daily watch will be needed.

The Trust would like to thank Moray Coast Vets, and The Scottish SPCA, for their assistance.

Riverside Enhancement - We Need Your Vote

Next weekend on Saturday the 12th March, there will be a chance to vote for Nairn Riverside to become more attractive. Nurturing Nairnshire Community Grant fund, will be up for grabs in the Nairn Community Centre. I will represent The River Nairn Swans And Waterfowl Trust and be bidding for £800 to Enhance the Riverside. The Trust would like to Plant approx 120 Trees bushes and shrubs, and help to beautify Nairn Riverside a little more.

 The aim is to provide Rowan, Bird cherry, and Hawthorn that will eventually provide berries for the birds, and give some more colour for all to enjoy. The bushes and shrubs will consist of Broom, Gorse, Roses and Honeysuckle giving fragrance and colour, this will also provide shelter and cover for the wildlife. 
This fund is supposed to be a community empowerment exercise, but frankly the rules are anything but !

To Vote you have to register between 9-30 and 10am on Saturday morning at the community centre, and then stay for 3 hours listening to all those who are bidding for funds. Each bidder has to give their pitch for 2 minutes then have a 2 minute Q& A. You will not be able to vote until everyone has given their pitch, and to make it more awkward, you have to vote for 5 different projects for the vote to be valid. WARNING - if you vote for more or less than 5, YOUR VOTE WILL BE INVALID and wont count !! 

The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust is a voluntary group and already does it's best to care for the lower river by monitoring pollution and river conditions, picking up litter, and caring for the waterfowl. We would like the riverbanks enhanced with blossom, colour, and vibrant with bird life.
You can help make this happen by going to the Nairn community centre next Saturday the 12th and voting for us.
Anyone can vote, but you do have to register !!
Refreshments will be available at 1 pm. 

Local Politics

It has come to my attention that a newly organised company called Nairn River Enterprise has been created. 
I went to their website to see what they're about, and likely to have any impact on The Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust. My immediate reaction on seeing their website photo showing the Swans and ducks at Merryton bridge did not impress. 

I would like to make it crystal clear that this new private limited company, has no connection with The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust. The Trust is strictly non political, is a non profit unincorporated association, run by unpaid volunteers, Membership is open to everyone. The Trust are the guardians of the River birds, their welfare, habitat and environment.

The new Nairn River Enterprise company has some local politicians and activists as directors, and they seem to have ambitious plans for the Town. The local weekly newspaper The Nairnshire Telegraph has this weeks front page story on the financial squabbles of this embryonic company. 

This new company looks like a political attempt to rival  NICE, ( Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise ).
Our new Nairn River Community Council has voted wisely on the financial Squabble.

The only Squabbles the Trust want to see on the river, is strictly between the birds !  My opinion....Too much Politics not enough enterprise !

HAPPY CHRISTMAS !

Christmas means renewal, a celebration of new life and a new season. The longest night is now behind us, and we can all look forward to spring. The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas, good health, and peaceful new year. 

Particular Thanks and good wishes to all our members at home and abroad who have resolutely continued to support our river birds throughout the year, it is greatly appreciated. Your New year Calendar will be sent out soon. If you have not yet viewed the short video of Popeye's joyous return to his family, click on this Happy Homecoming  or title on the left of this page. ( I am told it cannot be viewed on an Ipad, probably need an app for that.)

Trust Thanks Scottish SPCA

In keeping with our commitment to look after the health and welfare of the River Nairn birds. The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust will be giving a donation to the Scottish SPCA for their contribution in helping to save Popeye our resident Cob. As I suspected he was suffering from a bacterial infection, this was so severe that it affected his liver which also needed medication. He had an X-ray and blood tests which were inconclusive. A donation might also come via our Avian adviser Sue Hulbert by way of the Swan Convention down south. 

Sue is a valuable trust asset with decades of experience caring for Swans and can be relied on for first class advice. The trust has rescued over 40 birds this year about 65% of which survived. Some of these birds are passed on to the Scottish SPCA, in Popeye's case he was one of the lucky survivors, and the SPCA have our thanks. The Trust spends over £2000 a year on the welfare of our birds, so any donations are most welcome.  

Trust Members Success

This may have been one of the worst local summer seasons weather wise, but the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust continues to grow and do the business of caring for our River birds. We currently have 157 members and all should be proud of the part they play in supporting our river wildlife. The remarkable success and growth of the waterbird population is testament to your contribution - Thank you and well done ! 
I am heartened by the amount of positive comments from local residents and visitors alike who positively love to see our thriving river population.

 In addition to local members we have members from all over Scotland and the rest of the UK, as well as some members around the world. Supporting our wildlife costs the Trust over £2500 a year as well as many hours of voluntary unpaid work every week. As yet, no financial contributions has ever come from our local community council which many people cant understand, since the community and Nairn benefit from the Trusts work and the council have funds available. The Trust is non political and will not get drawn into divisive local politics, we take a pragmatic approach and concentrate on the welfare of the waterbirds and maintenance of their environment. 

Caring for sick and injured birds, removal of litter, remedial work to the island and moat, and destruction of dangerous alien plant species are some of the voluntary tasks we do.