Tragedy for Swanpool Nature Reserve :: swanpool.org.uk

It is just so sad to report that last Tuesday the Pen (the mother Swan) was killed by a Fox - she was on the nest protecting her 2 day old Cygnets and a Fox got her by the throat and killed her...

She had been on the nest for 36 days incubating the eggs and had managed to hatch 3 eggs, so 3 Cygnets, obviously she was weak and maybe that’s how the Fox got the better of her.

Pete Lochrie, proprietor of Swanpool Beach and Gary Thomson, volunteer warden went into the nesting site and found this carnage. They took the Pen to Rosemullion vets (they are great friends to the Nature Reserve) for disposal of the body.

The Cob (male Swan) was on the nest later protecting the Cygnets and was doing a good job. Gary and Pete rang the RSPCA and Abbotsbury Swanery for advice and were told the Cob may manage to cope but most times he would abandon the Cygnets. Sadly this proved to be the case when 2 interloper swans tried to get on the Pool and his instincts to chase them off came to the fore and he chased them leaving the Cygnets in his wake - he pushed the Swans off and retired back to the nest, exhausted.

Pete and Gary then knew that if the Cygnets were to survive they would have to be relocated so in consultation with the RSPCA it was agreed to rescue them and the RSPCA asked them to uplift the Cygnets ready for collection by the RSPCA.

The next day Pete and Gary uplifted the Cygnets – Alas – now only 2 – one taken overnight by a Fox? And awaited the RSPCA to come. It only took ¾ of an hour. They will be taken to the RSPCA Reserve at West Hatch near Taunton to be cared for and released into the wild when adult enough.

The Cob and the Pen had been on the Pool for 8 years and the last 6 years had been very successful in rearing Cygnets - 25 plus Cygnets over the years. Nature is harsh! Some may argue that a Fox has a right to feed his Cubs - all we know is it is the saddest moment for the Nature Reserve and for the Cob. One minute he had a partner and 3 Cygnets, the next he is on his own dazed and confused, but resilience will take over and we can only hope he finds a new mate soon.