More info on the Black Swan Eddie, The regular birders at Brockholes tell me via Facebook....
The Black Swan is a regular there, but comes and goes. Black Swans do not breed at Brockholes( Bill Aspin) About 2 years ago, a family part turned up; not known where they bred. Black Swan visits Mere Sands , Curlew Lane at Rufford and the Ribble (Penwortham bank).
They are a very keen lot at Brockholes and this sight is well watched by them!
-- Edited by keith mills on Saturday 26th of April 2014 01:15:05 PM
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
''Black Swans have been breeding in this country for many years. They have even been seen in Iceland mixing with the migrant Whooper Swans!''
Has anyone found out where the Black Swans in Iceland are from? According to Collins there is a ''self sustaining breeding population in the Netherlands''. I understand that when one died at Arley( years ago), that they managed to get one in a van from Martin Mere to replace it and keep the ''tradition'' going
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
Black Swans in the UK are officially classed in category E* by the British Ornithologists Union which means as follows:
Species recorded as introductions, human-assisted transportees or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self-sustaining. Species in Category E that have bred in the wild in Britain are designated as E*.
Category E species form no part of the British List (unless already included within Categories A, B or C).
Black Swans have been breeding in this country for many years. They have even been seen in Iceland mixing with the migrant Whooper Swans! They are also kept in many private collections where the owners may not be as stringent at preventing escapes, or keep free flying birds.
-- Edited by Gordon Taylor on Friday 25th of April 2014 06:26:25 PM
The Black Swan was on Meadow Lake yesterday at Mid-day. Somehow I forgot to mention it in my post. I have seen 2 Black Swans on the Ribble down by Freckleton Naze, some years ago, and they have been reported on this Forum several times, as they get about this area. Possible escapees from Martin Mere? Although Wigan Golf Club (Arley Hall) use to have 2 in their Moat.
I believe they originated in Australia.
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Rumworth List 2019, species to date: 63 Latest: Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Redshank, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew.
