General Discussion

Saw a black swan today on the Exeter canal.  I thought the Dawlish black swans had clipped wings to prevent them flying away.  So does anyone know where the one I saw today could have come from?

I think wing feathers grow back after clipping so it may be one of Dawlish's swans.  It might be worth phoning the Council.

I believe the cygnets born around Easter (?) had to be sold. Don't know where they went though.

Any idea why they had to be sold?

They were kept in the aviary prior to being released to the Brook (not the the wildfowl officers idea, so I believe), and when let out there was a territory issue with the others and were attacked.

I stand to be corrected though!!

"His swan" he calls her, but she owns him not. 

Guess there's a ring of truth in that Don

Back to the original question - there has been at least one around Topsham for a few years now.  I think there was even a breeding pair one year.  Probably nothing to do with Dawlish: feral ("escaped") Black Swans are on the increase all over England.

Thanks for the info.  Interesting that they are on increase all over England.  Do they cross-breed with the usual white variety?  If so can we expect piebald swans in future?!

There are some at Trago also. They are quite common around the county and country.

They won 5-2 today,lol