General Discussion

Undoubtedly the towns main asset and tourist draw are the black swans and the waterfowl centre - and may it remain so. The warden is excellent and cares greatly about his charges. However the big draw with the swans is their ugly ducklings !. So imagine the disappointment when the recent big four had to be sold and the injured parents put back in the pen due to rejection and fighting because the family had been penned for a prolonged period. Surely for the next brood the shiny trousers should leave the decisions on raising the brood to the one person with hands on knowledge who knows whats best = the warden. Then maybe we and the visitors can watch both the swans and their offsprings taking their survival chances on the brook - Since we have not to our knowledge ever lost a cygnet to a seagull I feel sure everything would turn out fine.

What happened to the last brood frederick? Due to hatch last Easter (6 eggs I believe), one cygnet was to be seen on the "island" for a few days.

Shortly after, the two swans were gliding close by, alone, with a few grey feathers left behind.

I have seen seagulls swoop on the cygnets and ducklings, quite distressing to witness!!!!!

Frederick - I think you'll find that the Warden is the one that makes the decisions on the housing of cygnets and their parents in the pen. As the swans have a monetary value surely by ensuring their survival he is doing what he is paid to do?

The mallards aren't owned by the town council so they take their chances (most of the time) with the gulls - nasty to see a duckling being ripped apart though.

Definately need an open shooting season on the sea gulls. Anyone ever roasted one for dinner or are they not eatable

I think you'll find quite a number of types of seagulls are protected by law so its an offence to kill them.

Incidentally I remember being on holiday in Dawlish in the early 80's. At that time the brook was full of small eels, the seagulls would pluck the eels out of the brook and fly to the nearest path. They'd then beat the eels heads on the concrete until they were dead or unconcious then fly off with them.

MOH

Not what you would call edible, unless you're Heston Blumenthal of course. Or that chap who picks up stuff from the wild. Imagine what the kids would say if roast seagull suddenly appeared on the table.

@Cassandra, like you're gonna tell them it's seagull!!

If it came in a KFC box my lot wouldnt even question it

This will surprise ! The information on which my comments were made was obtained from the warden who is keen that previous unsatisfactory situation does not arise again and that he does not have to sell any of the next brood. Lets see how things develop - I am sure he knows best !