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Mute Swans Vancouver
2002 Nesting Log - April 14 to 19 |
April 14 (ctd.): Unlike the "B" pair today's
events for the "A" pair were not good news. Sometime
today off leash dogs were seen chasing the swans in the wetland
area. The result was the abandonment of the nest by the "A"
pair. As always - blame the owners, not the dogs (I am a dog lover
too). There is also a need for more signs posting the park rules,
however the rules are widely ignored even by those who know them
(dogs to be on the leash in this area). Sometime after the abandonment
the swans were still nervous and remained outside the wetland
(see first photo below). Another swan pair ("D"?) was
seen cautiously exploring the wetland area. While outside the
wetland location the "A" pen was seen to lay an egg.
By the time I arrived the egg was gone. I later discovered someone
had taken it home to keep safe and possibly place in the "B"
nest (the "A" site being inaccessible without waders
- except to dogs and raccoons). From what I could see of the "A"
nest (second photo) there appeared to be one maybe two broken
eggs in there. There was also the broken shell of a third on the
bank of the dyke - probably the egg that rolled out of the nest
some days ago. The likely scenario is that raccoons cleaned up
the eggs after the swans were driven out by the dogs - but I have
no proof. The "A" nest site is the most natural, but
unlike the sites of previous years (and the "B" site),
fencing off the nest is not practical. That said, if the Parks
Board were serious about protecting this "wetland" then
the entire area could be (tastefully) fenced - a highly successful
practice in London's Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. This would
improve protection not just for the swans, but more importantly,
for the ever decreasing native wildfowl. The photos...
April 15: After yesterday's events the "A"
pair still seem reluctant to return to the wetland. The "B"
pair still do well (no photo) - there is now a fence protecting
their nest from the path. The new "D" pair continue
courtship and intermittent nest building. I can now confirm their
identities - they are the siblings hatched to the "A"
pair three years ago. The pen having abandoned her mate of last
year ("C") to take up with her brother (Hamlet really
has met Swan Lake). I can be sure because I have been able to
see their leg bands. Today's photos...
April 16: The "A" pair are now back in the
wetland, though have not returned to the nest site. They will
probably build a new nest and try again - it is still early enough
in the season for them to do so. The "B" pair have a
fence protecting their nest and a new egg - now up to three -
photo...
April 17,18: The "A" pair are now actively
building a new nest about 30 metres away from the first (nearer
to the Causeway). The "B" pair now have four eggs -
one laid every two days - right on schedule. This year the "B"
cob has been more attentive than last year. He is always on or
near the nest when the pen is away feeding (building strength
for her next egg)...
April 19: The "B" pair have a fifth egg! Could
it be that the "egg rescuer" has place the old "A"
egg in the "B" nest? Not likely, but we will know if
there is another egg tomorrow (36 hours minimum between eggs).
Meanwhile the "D" pair continue intermittent nest building
at the Causeway site (no photo) and the "A" pair are
now vigorously building their second nest...
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