Black Swan

BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratus 

It was a welcome sight today to see this lone Black Swan on the Hospital Reservoir. We hope it is a sign of things to come.

 

I cannot recall seeing one here for many years. There are plenty a little to the west on the sewerage farm, but not here in the town.

 

 

 We usually see swans in large groups or at least in pairs. This one was quite alone.

 I watched for over an hour as it fed placidly on grass and weed it drew up from the bottom.

 

 

I watched for over an hour as it fed placidly on grass and weed it drew up from the bottom of the reservoir. It certainly was not concerned as I moved around to get a better view.

 

 

A pair of Eurasian Coots were very interested in the swan. They swam in close to gather the fallen pieces of weed that the swan dropped. The water in the reservoir is quite deep after all the recent rain, too deep for the short legged coots.  A long necked companion was a great help.