I’m going to come right out and say it. I don’t like swans. Never have done. Just seeing them smugly swanning around acting all hoighty-toighty annoys me. And back in the spring I took a particular dislike to a pair of them.

2018 is the 50th anniversary of the opening of Woods Mill, Sussex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve and headquarters near Henfield. We’ve been getting the place all ship-shape, ready to welcome visitors for celebrations throughout the summer. I turned up for work one Monday to find a pair of swans had inconsiderately started building their huge woven nest right in the middle of the main path. I thought I may try and heave the heap back into the pond but you can’t disturb nesting birds during the breeding season and I’m sure I once read that the Queen legally owns all the swans in Britain. I certainly didn’t want Her Royal Highness leaping out of the undergrowth and bopping me with her sceptre. So the nest was here to stay and our visitors would have to take a small diversion. Perhaps it’s this royal association which give swans their snooty attitude but I would like to remind any swans reading this article that the reason that they were once bestowed this protection was because the Royal Family enjoyed eating them and didn’t want us common folk depriving them of their swan supper. 

One morning I checked on the swans and found five whopping great eggs in their obstructive haystack nest. But the parents were elsewhere, arrogantly gliding about on the pond. Had they abandoned the nest? Surely the eggs would perish in the cold? I suddenly became uncharacteristically concerned. I was half tempted to hop on the eggs myself to keep them warm until I noticed the swans heading towards me, their wings half-raised behind their back (a posture called ‘busking’ which despite being the archetypal swan pose is actually an aggressive threat). Before I knew it they were upon me, hissing and raising their mighty wings.  When you’re being attacked by a swan you really appreciate what formidable creatures they are. Weighing up to 13kg, mute swans are one of the world’s heaviest flying birds. The story that they can break your arm with their wings is nonsense but I didn’t hang around, just in case. After giving me some evil stares Lord and Lady Muck settled back to incubating and guarding their future family. For another few weeks they sat on their throne in the middle of the path, being photographed by crowds of admiring visitors while I stood ankle deep in the mud, muttering curses under my breath and begrudgingly hammering in a fence to keep them safe. It’s obvious who rules the roost here at Woods Mill. Last month those eggs hatched – and now there’s seven swans a-swimmin’ round the pond. If you want to see the swans and lots of other wildlife, take a trip to Woods Mill this summer. Directions are on the Sussex Wildlife Trust website (sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk) and in the ‘What’s On’ section you’ll find details of loads of free events being held on the reserve – thanks to generous support from the ScottishPower Foundation - as we celebrate our half century.

Sussex Wildlife Trust is an independent charity caring for wildlife and habitats throughout Sussex. Founded in 1961, we have worked with local people for over half a century to make Sussex richer in wildlife.  

We rely on the support of our members to help protect our rich natural heritage. Please consider supporting our work. As a member you will be invited to join Michael Blencowe on our regular wildlife walks and also enjoy free events, discounts on wildlife courses, Wildlife magazine and our Sussex guide book, Discovering Wildlife. It’s easy to join online at www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/join or over the phone on 01273  497532.

www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk


by Michael Blencowe of the Sussex Wildlife Trust
Mute Swan© Miles Davies / mute swan