 |
Mute Swans Vancouver
2002 Nesting Log - March |
March 19: The dominant pair have started nest building
in the "new" area on the border of their territory with
pair number three (from last year). This area was created by the
Park Board last year as a (very) small marsh area to filter the
run-off from the road that bisects the park. This is potentially
the best site as it most resembles the swan's natural habitat.
My only concern with the choice of site is that it may be subject
to flooding. They have started to build away from the shore on
both sides - good isolation from people and other disturbances
(in theory). The number two pair from last year have started some
nest building activities at the other end of the Lagoon - unfortunately
on an island that has failed them in the past. The number three
pair from last year (the only pair to hatch cygnets) have shown
no nesting activity (to my knowledge). Here are some photos of
the dominant ("A") pair taken today...
March 21: The "A" pair continue nest building
in the "new" area on the border of their territory (which
has probably been enlarged). The cob appears to do the building
while the pen (female) feeds nearby. Shown below is a composite
photo (3 images) showing the nesting area. The nest is closer
to the dyke side (6-7 metres from shore).
Shown below, left is the cob arranging nest material. The male
Mute Swan (cob) generally has a larger "knob" on the
top of the bill than the female (pen). For the "A" pair
the pen is easily identified by a scar over one eye. She got this
from an attack by a Raccoon on the nest a few years ago (different
site). Also shown below is the gate at one end of the dyke - it
is unclear if this is intended to prevent all public access (best
for the swans) or simply keep bicycles and vehicles out. A sign
would help, and if total exclusion is intended then the fence
should be extended into the water. Public exclusion would aid
in the establishment of a safe area for all wildlife (safe from
humans that is). See nest site comparison
for more discussion on this subject. Restricted access would of
course reduce photographic opportunities, but I for one would
not complain if it resulted in better wildlife (and habitat) protection.
All the photographs (to date) were taken with a digital camera
with a zoom lens equivalent to 35mm lens of about 30-300mm. The
photo at below left is an enlargement of the maximum range, probably
equivalent to over 600mm.
March 25: The "A" pair continue nest building. See
below - some courtship display, feeding together, then the cob
returns to nest building while his mate feeds nearby...
March 29: Shown below - yesterday "A" pair taking
a break on the busy path near their nest. Meanwhile (photo today),
a different pair is investigating the old nest site for the A
pair in 2001...
March 30: With their usual impeccable timing the Parks Board
introduced three new swans to Lost Lagoon. The exiting swans are
at their most territorial (nesting season) and immediately the
new swans were chased. One of the newcomers (a very old cob) was
chased across a main road (the Causeway) by the "A"
cob. The other two newcomers - a younger pair (possibly siblings)
were chased close to a road at the other end of the Lagoon (Ceperly
Meadow) - this time by the "B" pair...
mtw photography | Copyright Notice | Home
