Popeye and Son ?

The Young cob that crashed twice in the past two weeks is still trying to return to the river ! I am beginning to think that it might well be one of Popeye and Penny's returning Son's.

Today I watched as Popeye (our resident cob) escorted the young turk round the island and out of the river, I was surprised at how tolerant he was with this young cob, there have been no blows struck - which is unusual considering the timing and proximity to the island nest site. Maybe Popeye knows he is one of his own, and not yet mature?

Dogs - Scottish Outdoor Access Code

The other day I discovered a ducks nest along the riverside. I would say that the mild weather is now conducive for many ducks to nest. Spring is a wonderful time for Nature to get the sap rising in all living things, this includes dogs and their owners taking them outdoors !

With this in mind, I would like to remind dog owners of their responsibilities under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/out-and-about/recreation-activities/dog-walking/ . A Local resident river walker remarked to me the other day, just how many dog walkers go along the river now on a daily basis, he said he had never seen so many dogs. I must say I have to agree with him, perhaps the new maggot flats has increased the problem as I mentioned last year. There seems to be a mini explosion in multiple dog ownership too, which is worrying when some of these owners seem to have scant regard for the natural world around them !

In addition to the dog poop problem, some owners seem oblivious to the fact that Half of Scotlands birds are ground nesting, and spring is the most important time to keep their dogs under close control around other wildlife that are trying to nest ! The following is advice from Scottish Natural heritage : GROUND-NESTING BIRDS: During the breeding season (April - July) keep your dog on a short lead or under close control in areas such as Moorland, grasslands, loch shores, and the seashore to avoid disturbing birds that nest on the ground ...this includes the riverside!

I know from experience and other Swan Sanctuaries,( http://www.fairford.org/SwanAid/swan_rescues.htm ) the horrendous toll that dogs can have on Swans and other waterbirds. Earlier today I saw 2 women walking along the riverside with their spaniel hunting along the riverbank , totally unconcerned about what the dog was doing. As always, I blame the owners and not the dogs. Courting popularity with dog owners as I do - be prepared for a lambasting if I see your dog running around out of control and disturbing the wildlife. I make no apology for again publishing the photo of Penny, after she was attacked by a black labrador- (soft things wouldn't hurt a fly ) ...famous last words. Hunting types, and water dogs in particular should be kept well under control !

More Wildlife Happenings

The young injured pigeon that I received last week is improving, it has an injured left leg which made it reluctant to use or walk with. Today it managed to stand and cling onto the edge of the box. It has been eating well, and I should be able to move it into the Aviary in a day or two. As for eating...another mouse that lives in a tree - was unafraid and sampling the daily food as usual.

Swan comes a Cropper near Allotments.

The Young Cob that crashed last week has done it again ! He and his mate were again chased from the lower river, UNDER the road bridge this time. Unable to clear the railway bridge at the allotments he crash landed in a garden beside mill road, across from the Allotments. Fortunately some local residents and allotment holders managed to get word to me as they ushered the Swan into the allotments for it's own safety. Although crash landing badly, he sustained no broken bones but had a small cut on the berry of his bill. I was able to pick him up and return him to the river. He was barely in the river 10 minutes when Popeye our resident cob flew up and chased him beyond the Jubilee bridge. He did manage to escape and just clear the riverside trees. It seems our Popeye is living up to his name and wont let any other swans into the river...Penny his mate, is just about ready to start nesting of course.

Duck Humour Captions

Sometimes some pics just cry out for a caption !

Ducks and Pigeon Pals

One of my duck pals who greets me everyday is now so relaxed I can take some very close shots, she is beautiful - I love ducks brown eyes !

Seems like all the riverside birds have a taste for the wheat grain these days. The spring weather has got the nesting season underway, and many of the birds are feasting for the famine that has to be endured whilst laying and nesting. Even the Turnstones are picking up grain that the ducks have missed, and the pigeons are now joining in feasting happily with the ducks ! Today I was given another injured young pigeon found in the high street by some kind girls who put it carefully in a box. I think it's had a bash of some kind but does not appear to have any broken bones. Following on last weeks pigeon success, I will feed it up for a few days until it is able to fly off.

Happy Days...Mating

With this Months high spring tides for the next few days, the river Waterbirds are spreading out and starting to nest. The Swans too were in a mating mood today, and duly obliged as I passed by. The sequence of mating shots is self explanatory, the closeness and devotion plain to see, nesting should commence soon.

Tackling the BEAR

I have made a formal request by email, and also on their website to BEAR Scotland to have the Bridge rails painted ASAP. Considering our Councillors have tried for 4 years to have the bridge rails painted, I would have thought they should have held them to their homepage opening statement on the BEAR website http://bearscot.com/ as follows : "BEAR Scotland Limited is an integrated service provider in the Scottish roads sector. We pride ourselves on providing a first rate service to our clients based on the whole-hearted commitment of our employees, our flexible approach, our breadth of experience and our operational capability. With offices and highly skilled people located throughout the country, we are best placed to adapt our business to anticipate and exceed the needs of our clients and build lasting partnerships."

My email request to BEAR this morning was as follows : Dear Sir,

I understand that you are the Nairn Contact for BEAR road maintenance etc.

I look after the welfare of the Nairn Swans and river wildlife on the lower river Nairn. Yesterday and in recent months we have nearly had two fatalities due to Swans hitting the A96 Bridge railings and crash landing on the road.

I think the reason for this is partly due to the low visibility of the rusty railings which merge into the background of surrounding trees and buildings.

I understand BEAR are responsible for the maintenance of the bridge and railings. I formerly request that you paint the railings in High visibility Silver or white Paint ASAP, something the Swans can easily see when trying to fly over the bridge.

Enclosed photos I took yesterday after the near fatal crash landing on the bridge A96 road.

Because of the high trees and buildings either side of the bridge, the swans have no alternative but to fly over the bridge, hence the reason for High Visibility railings.

The Nairn Swans are an integral part of the Nairn tourist attractions, and the local population would be very upset and irate if they were to be killed due to your lack of bridge maintenance !
I understand you have been asked several times over the last few years to have this maintenance carried out but have failed to do so.

I will have no hesitation in going to the local press and airing my views on my website http://www.simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/ if you ignore this formal request.

Yours Sincerely,

Joe Telfer (River Nairn Wildlife Carer)

Additionally I filled out their online report a problem page- in a similar vein as above, also pointing out that a Swan crashing onto the road could result in a serious vehicle accident too !

I await their response.

Near Miss !

Tragedy narrowly averted this morning when two young swans tried to fly over the road bridge.

One of them crash landed on the road and was hit by a vehicle, A member of the public phoned the SSPCA and another local herded the young cob along bridge st, as I arrived on the scene. I ushered the cob onto the green and then down into the river. I checked for injuries and it appeared OK with a dirty line mark across one wing - presumably where it was in contact with the vehicle. Some time later I checked on the young cob again, gave it some food which it eagerly scoffed. These young swans were chased by our resident pair anxious to protect their territory, the enclosed sequence of pics tells the story.

I have emailed our local councillors asking for the main road bridge rails to be re-painted as soon as possible, since their rusty appearance blends in too easily with the broken background of trees and buildings. This is the second near tragedy in recent months where swans have clipped the bridge rails ! It's good that members of the public take the time to look out for the Swans...more than can be said for the motorists who did not want to stop !

A bypass cant come soon enough for the Swans !

UPDATE : Councillor Liz Macdonald informs me that she will contact BEAR, the roads contractors - to get the bridge rails painted, apparently they have been asked repeatedly over the last 4 years to get this done !

Councillor Graham marsden's reply :We have requested of BEAR that they paint the rails on the A96 on several ocassions, they're not within our jurisdiction, so we can't do anything other than ask.I'm sure Louise can provide you with the contact details of BEAR to make your request to them.

Pristine Waterbirds

Though cooler the exceptional weather continues, and I can honestly say this is the mildest winter I have experienced in my lifetime....anyone still doubting climate change ?

The Pen is in pristine condition,looking good and constantly preening herself ready for the long nesting season. The cob too is in his prime, ready for action when the Pen chooses the time.

The Mallards are also in prime condition, and some probably already nesting. One pair in particular always pay me the compliment of landing at my feet at least once a day. The duck is looking for food as she begins the nesting season, and seeks me out knowing some high quality wheat and poultry pellets will be available ! ( video clip below). This is the same duck that landed at my feet last year in front of the Harbour Cafe after I had run out of food ! Eager to make sure she got a feed, I asked the cafe for 2 slices of plain brown bread for which they charged me £1. Scandalous price, particularly in view of the fact that some of my bird loving friends who come to see the ducks and swans weekly - actually visit the cafe too ! I dont think the cafe proprietors appreciate how much trade they get because of the wildlife on view locally !

Timing

Even though the weather has been spring like for weeks, the Swans are still not inclined to start nesting. It seems that nest timing is not determined by nice unseasonal weather, but more to do with solar seasons. Around the spring Equinox, seems to be the real starting point for nesting - based on previous swan nesting seasons. They may not have visible clocks, but evolution has provided the Swans with built in ones ! They know when there is equal light and dark hours, and have their young hatching at the optimum time to suit an abundance of natural foodstuff - thereby giving their offspring the best chance of survival.

We all know that timing is critical for most things in life, especially when it comes to natural survival. I received a remarkable link to a bit of video from a friend of mine this week - showing an Osprey using timing for catching it's prey, if you like the natural world...well worth watching...enjoy ! http://www.arkive.org/osprey/pandion-haliaetus/video-00.html

Free as a Bird

A dozen Goldfinch were on the riverside today, not in the best position for good pics though.

As for the pigeons...

After some rest and preening, I left the door of the Aviary open this morning for the two young pigeons to leave. When one of the local feral pigeons came in and basically showed them the way out ! They flew out on top of my house, then joined a group across the way. They are both free.