Railway Bridge Update !

Had a call from Network rail today regarding fitting the bird diverters for the River Nairn railway viaduct. They say that they have to get planning to fit the diverters,  because they had to get planning for the fencing since it was on a building ! Apparently the cost will be £500 for the plastic diverters, they will keep me informed. 

There has already been 2 geese killed on the new fence !

BT Communicates

After Trust representations to BT Openreach about the lethal telephone lines that caused the death of one of our cygnets at Broadhill. I have today received confirmation that action will be taken after consultations with local residents about the visual impact of bird diverters / deflectors being fitted to the offending lines.

The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust is more concerned with the physical impact of Birds hitting those lines, and feel sure the residents of Dunbar avenue will be keen to protect our Swans and other birds.

Short email extract from the Openreach Operations Manager in Inverness... luckily a self confessed wildlife enthusiast ! 

I am currently looking into what we might be able to do in order to try and avoid a repeat of the death of this swan. Bird diverters/deflectors look the most likely solution and we need to speak to residents about the visual impact of fitting them.

As a wildlife enthusiast myself I was sorry to hear about this and I am keen to do all we can to help.

Regards

Robert Geddes

Operations Manager 

Cygnet Killed

Tragedy has struck our Swan family this morning after one of our cygnets crashed and died. A local resident reported seeing one cygnet flying up river and circling  to return to the family, it was at this point the cygnet most likely hit a telephone line at the top of Broadhill and crashed into the side of a house.

Earlier I had searched along the beach and harbour area looking for the missing cygnet, but was then told by a resident of Dunbar avenue, that they had found the dead cygnet at the back of their house. 
This is truly sad and of course avoidable, if BT had put bird diverters on their lines. This is another case of human activity being responsible for the tragedy. I have emailed BT asking for bird diverters to be put on the lines so the birds have a chance, these lines right at the highest point of Broadhill are lethal to Swans who will not see them in time to avoid a collision.

This is the most dangerous time for cygnets learning to fly, they have to learn how to use the wind and avoid hazards - assuming they can see them !

Bird Diverters and Drought

Scottish and Southern energy fulfilled their pledge to fit the bird diverters out at Kingsteps - well done to them ! Hopefully this will help avoid tragic accidents and give the Swans a chance to live. I noticed someone on the roadbridge today taking notes, maybe BEAR Scotland will soon brighten up the bridge railings too.

I hate to be a killjoy, but the river and ground could do with some RAIN ! I have never seen the river so low at this time of year - it badly needs freshened up. The river weed that the Swans need to feed their offspring - need water to grow in !

Popeye and Bird Diverters

Popeye is still nursing his injured leg and finds walking pretty painful - from what I can observe anyway. Based on the last injured cygnet with a bad leg 2 years ago , it could take several weeks before he's 100% fit. Lets hope he doesn't have to tangle with another aggressive Cob in the short term!

I was informed today by SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) that they will be fitting the bird Diverters to the Kingsteps Power lines next week, on the 29th. This is good news for any Swans that might be flying into the local pond. There have been at least two Swan fatalities there, but possibly others I don't know about.