We came across this swan today, while walking the dogs down by the river. I was thankful that the nest was built down at the side of a bridge, and I was able to get close and still keep railings in between us, because I have a healthy respect for swans sitting on nests, especially when I have dogs with me. I read once in a local newspaper about a man who was walking two retrievers who got too close to a nest and the swans actually made a serious attempt to drown them. They were only saved because the man was able to distract the birds long enough for his dogs to swim to shore. But that’s perfectly natural behaviour when the swans are defending their young.
No, the weird thing is this. If you look closely at the picture, you’ll see that the swans have incorporated a ton of junk into their platform. Old plastic bags, crushed two-litre drink bottles, all kinds of stuff, though mostly plastic.
I’d like to tell them that as a decorative effort it doesn’t work too well, but I guess the swans might think differently, and I’m wondering if they’re smarter than I give them credit for. I mean, what if all that plastic is supposed to act as a buoyancy aid, should the river flood? Of course, it would have been better to choose bottles with the tops still firmly screwed on, but still … not bad for a bird brain. Or perhaps it’s camouflage? The swan is white, some of the plastic is white, or white-ish … ?
Has anyone else seen anything like this? Is it common for swans to collect rubbish for their nests? And why do they do it? Such beautiful birds to surround themselves with ugly stuff!
So this is where you live, eh?
Nope, I haven’t seen anything like trashy swans. I think that’s cool, though!
Hey, how did you find me? I don’t recognize anyone on your blogroll.
And what does OH stand for? Own Husband? Old Hubby? Obnoxious Herring?
Cathouse Teris last blog post..Too Much, Too Little, Too Late
When I go to visit my mom, who lives in Greenville, SC, she and I love to take leisurely strolls on the campus of Furman University, about a half-mile from her house. They have a large lake at Furman (the carillon on its island in the middle makes such a beautiful sound) with many pathways available to walk around it if you want to take the time. Once we saw a swan on her nest near a little footbridge and it (and her HUGE nest) looked almost exactly like your swan. I took pictures too! We were even able to glimpse the eggs. And yes, mama swan looked mighty fierce when we ventured too close.
Once a bird built its nest into a basket of flowers that hung on my door and, after the babies had hatched and grown up a bit and the birds were gone, I inspected the nest. It was fascinating! Most of it was twigs but there was so much other stuff: shards of plastic, string, paperclips, paper, cardboard, cellophane, et cetera. They are quite industrious and we could learn something from them about using what’s on hand.
Jennys last blog post..Not Just Playing Possum
Cathouse Teri – OH stands for Other Half, but it could be any of those things you suggested, except, possibly, Obnoxious Herring. I think he might object to that. LOL!
I found you through the comments on I Do Things So You Don’t Have To. I often follow up people who sound interesting.
Jenny – That’s fascinating! I haven’t deconstructed a bird’s nest since I was about fourteen, so clearly they’ve learned a lot since then! Well, well. We do put the tumble-drier fluff and dog hair out for them in the spring and it usually gets snatched up! They’re pretty good at recycling, huh?
Swans are weird! Plastic, huh? Never heard of it! Interesting theory (of buoyancy), though. Peace – D
D / Mommas last blog post..Good Things Cometh My Way
All I know is, swans can be quite dangerous – they are very big and very strong and can break bones. The stupidity, or shall I be a bit nicer and just call it ignorance, of some parents is astounding. I have seen parents encouraging their two year olds to go and stand right next to the lovely swan so that they can get a picture. A two year old and a swan – now I know which I would put my money on! I saw a similar thing in Australia with pelicans, and let me tell you, they were HUGE!
Don’t Bug Me!s last blog post..Another Day, Another Sunset…..
redecorating..hah
sandy ks last blog post..A symbiotic meeting
I once saw a swan’s nest in Black Park, a local nature reserve that had among other things, several crisp packets and a child’s baseball cap woven into the fabric of the nest. Having read some of the comments here, I do hope it wasn’t a souvenir of an encounter with a nosy kid who got too close.I think they are just being resourceful.
They can be vicious though. I’ll never forget the sight of my friend fending one off by using a stick of french bread like a fencing foil. Twas cruel to hide behind that tree and laugh but she looked so funny.
Yes, swans can indeed be dangerous! And yes, parents can indeed be idiotic! But I think a lot of the time it is just ignorance.
Jeni! LOL! I wonder if the kid was underneath? And LOL! again at you hiding behind the tree laughing at your poor friend!
Well, the consensus seems to be that it’s quite common for swans to stick odd things into their nests! How interesting!
Mute swans are an invasive species here. all geese and swans are dangerous.
While living in Northern california, the male burrowing owl will pickup shiny trash and do a dance for his chosen all around the huge burrow. Maybe swans are attacted to the colorful trash too?
Dawns last blog post..Woodland Skipper
I’ve never seen a swan nest so I have no idea what counts as swan bling. They’re like little feathered crazy homeless people.
yellojkts last blog post..Building A Museum
That’s a gorgeous photo. It is kind of weird the swan would do that, but as I sit here in my livingroom, I realize I’ve surrounded myself with some pretty tacky stuff too! lol
DrowseyMonkeys last blog post..Sea Swan Monsters & Mt. Fuji
See, the swan is white as in white trash. Obviously you stumbled upon the swan equivalent of a trailer park.:)
elasticwaistbandladys last blog post..Charity Never Faileth……Really, You Should Never Say Never!
I have to admit that swans scare me. I had several bad experiences with geese when I was a kid, and swans just seem like a larger version. I had the chore for about a year of feeding the chickens which were on the other side of the property and the geese would wait outside the door for me, chase me all the way to the chicken coop, then chase me all the way back to the door. I hardly ever escaped with my rear unscathed, and anything large bird size might as well wear a large blinking sign that says “I bite.”
Maybe the plastic adds softness?
Dawn – I’d like to see that burrowing owl! I know some species collect shiny stuff, like the magpie (of course), but I didn’t know swans did! So they’re unwelcome immigrants over there? Do you have a native swan?
Yellojkt – Hi, and welcome! I’m coming over to check out your blog in a minute. Little feathered homeless people? LOL!
DM – Thanks! You and me both! It’s funny how we marvel at what the rest of the animal kingdom does, and fail to look at our own fancy artificial caves, isn’t it?
EWB Lady – Nice to see you over here! ‘White trash’! That nearly made me choke on my tea! LOL!
JT – Not surprised you fear them after an experience like that as a youngster! OH is the same – he’s very wary. He was bitten in the rear by a swan a few years back and it didn’t help that we all fell about laughing! We often go to a country park which is full of wild geese and swans (and ducks but they’re harmless!). For the most part they leave people alone, but I have seen them chase dogs that go into the water.
Yup…I saw it last year and to add to that she sat on the nest full term…but there were no eggs in it!
(
gemmaks last blog post..Uhh?
Gemmak – no eggs?
Do you think they were stolen? Or was she just experiencing a phantom .. um .. eggery?
I bet you that swan knows exactly what it’s doing. I say it’s smart.
Some animals are smarter than humans when it comes to protecting their young.
Naturals last blog post..Enjoy Retirement, but Don’t Spend My Inheritance
When you hear about some of the examples of modern ‘parenting’, I’d say you were right, Valerie!
Sounds like they have the beginnings of a hoarding disease. Oprah and Dr Phil have done shows on it and there’s this show called “Clean Sweep” that takes care of it.
Found your blog through another blog.
Annas last blog post..To Firefox, or not to Firefox
Welcome aboard, Anna! Yes! LOL!
I wondered if my swan was just a bad housekeeper, but it’s probably not politically correct to cast aspersions on wildlife, so being the good little old lady that I am, I didn’t mention it! *Insert halo here*
Phantom eggery…lol. Yes, there never were any eggs, we all knew that, those of us watching but she didn’t seem to realise
(
gemmaks last blog post..Fancy these in your back garden?
Great photo! I’ve never seen a swan on its nest before. I love the way its tucking is bill into its feathers like that, but it does look like it had a keen eye on your goings-on.
Coastal Aussies last blog post..I made a Wiggly Scarf