Dawlish’s beautiful Black Swans…….Cygnus atratus.
The black swans of Dawlish, Devon had a bad year in 2014/15. One of the females was killed by a dog, the other was killed during the fierce storms.
A kind lady, Rose Dennis, bought two new females to join the two males this year.
The swans I watched on Monday were washing in the pond. They used their beaks to separate and clean their feathers.
They fluffed up their feathers and used long necks to turn this way and that and across their backs as they groomed.
They moved slowly and elegantly…..balletic was the word that came to mind as I watched.
Originally from Western Australia these beautiful birds seem quite happy on the stretch of water in Dawlish. They are joined by local ducks and more exotic ducks and geese, but its the swans who steal the show.
devon2mother 