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85 Bird watching WITH JOHN ASHTON “S


pring, when a young bird’s fancy turns to


thoughts of love.” Yes, it’s that time when their raging hormones are compelling them to flaunt their new courtship plumage and fight their competitors. The females will consequently mate with the the largest, most colourful and toughest of them all ... Reminiscent of Friday nights on Union Street. MUTE SWANS are our


in association with


both birds entwining necks, biting and beating the living daylights out of each other with their wings. This one carried on for over 20 minutes, until the rival was completely exhausted and nearly drowned. He managed to escape with his life, hotly pursued by an ebullient Ernie who then performed a spectacular victory display.


heaviest bird and their conflicts can be fatal. Of the many swans currently on the Avon there is one pair that consistently attempt to nest on a small islet by the Tidal Road. Unfortunately their breeding success is sporadic, to say the least, due to their egg-laying coinciding with the highest Spring tides which usually engulf their nest. Despite these tribulations, the male (let’s call him Ernie) has been valiantly defending his mate’s honour for many years. Now Ernie has a rival who is


constantly trying his luck and Ernie’s patience. The male’s “Swan Vestas


Victory display


Matchbox” posture, with raised wings and scapulars is adopted regularly during the breeding season, but upon spotting an interloper, Ernie’s head is drawn back and a bow-wave appears as the powerful webbed feet pump him forwards at ever- increasing speed. If the challenger does not back


down, Ernie then clatters across the surface with his head thrust forward and neck bent low to demonstrate that he is attacking, rather than just taking off. The fight is a vicious affair with


Vicious fighting


Surprisingly this melodrama


will probably be re-enacted again tomorrow and who knows which bird might perish or prevail ?


Below: My painting of Ernie doing the “Swan Vestas” posture.


Bow wave.


Binoculars www.king–print.co.uk


Binoculars, Scopes & Astronomical Telescopes Tel: (01548) 856757 www.king-print.co.uk TOP of the TOWN, Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon. TQ7 1PP


Attacking Scopes


Instore, Online or Mobile


Top of the Town, Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon. TQ7 1PP Photos Tel: (01548) 856757


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