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[Geoff]

We have a growing problem with an aggressive swan on our lake. The male attacks motor driven boats about 90% of the time. He almost completley ignores yachts, however...
 
Last weekend I was sailing my steam powered destroyer and whilst the female and her signets were not worried at all and were the other side of the lake the male swan swam over in an aggressive way heading straight for my model. I removed it from the water and started to pack up. The swan patrolled up and down then paddled away about 50 yards, turned and charged at me! He did not quite come out of the water but pretty close.
 
The next day a member of the public had his yacht sunk by the swan and one of our club members rowed out gently to retrieve the model and was promptley attacked by the swan pitching him into the water! Fortunatley no one was hurt and the swan seemed satisfied (we didn't laugh - well not too much!).
 
In general we are finding this swan getting more aggressive. He attacks female ducks on sight, which I have frequently seen and reportedly has killed a couple and their young. It has also been reported he drowned a dog. He also attempts to nip people on the bank with some success which I have also seen.
 
The pond is quite large and we only have access to 1/3rd of the lake.
 
We realise that swans are protected species and can be territorial and whilst no one intends any harm, we are getting a little fed up with his antics and wonder if anyone has any suggestions.
 
We have thought about a complaint to the council who own the lake but can see this could easily get out of control. We also have some concerns if he attacks a child.
 
Any thoughts/suggestions?
 
Thanks
 
Geoff
 
 

[dotslad]

Hi to know which lake this is would I am sure be helpful to forum members
regards Ian

[eddiesolo]

Report to the council as you use the lake it is in your interests to tell them what is going on. I doubt there is anything that can be done regarding the Swan but they can put up signs warning of the danger. Looks like you will just have to keep trying and sneak in a sail now and again or wait until the signets are older and he cools his heels.
 
Si:)

[gingyer]

Geoff
look at your local area and see if there is a swan rescue centre
they may be able to come and remove all the swans and relocate to a more suitable area

[hmsantrim]

  Hi Geoff.
 I would pay a visit to my local RSPCA and relate my tale to them.  They would go to monitor and assess the swans behaviour.  If they found that the cob was overly aggresive and having a go at everybody and anything they would possibly look at catching it to relocate it elsewhere.  As well as protecting animals from bad human behaviour, the reverse also applies.
 From what I have read online the cob has claimed the entire pond as it territory and no one else is getting on the water.  That said I know of a pond where the swans, geese, ducks, gulls and moorhen and model boats all get along.   
 
  Frank
 

[GAZOU]

That give you to eat the swan?

there was mad cow, maybe this is a crazy swan!

Do not eat especially 

[pettyofficernick]

That give you to eat the swan?

there was mad cow, maybe this is a crazy swan!

Do not eat especially 

Only Royalty allowed to eat swan.....

[regiment]

 here at perranporth  we have swans ducks seagulls and holiday makers and our boats. all get on togeather..

[TailUK]

Male swans can get tetchy around brooding time, which if memory serves, ends around the middle to end of June.  There's a good chance he'll calm down after the Cygnets are on the water. 
The local authority should be on it as they have responsibilty for the safety of the lakes users.
 

[Brian_C]

geese, ducks, pheasant, grouse,  partridge, curlew, lapwing, golden plover, woodpidgeon,  snipe, err,,,,,,  ive ate them all

and very nice to,  unfortunatly    i dont have a roasting dish big enough, err so they are still off the menu, 

 
       
                                                                       

                                                                                                   

[Arrow5]

No wild Haggis on that list.....you`ve been deprived.

[gingyer]

Only Royalty allowed to eat swan.....

Nick
that's only Black swans on certain parts of the Thames
normal pond swans are fair game to anyone 

[Netleyned]

No wild Haggis on that list.....you`ve been deprived.

Must be wild
The farmed haggis don't taste anything like

Ned

[sparkey]

  Angry Swans I can handle it's angry wife's I can't,Ray.

[Netleyned]

Angry Swans I can handle it's angry wife's I can't,Ray.

Just throw them a bit of stale bread

Ned

[Neil]

it's only behaving naturally towards any danger to it's new brood......swans mate for life, and it will defend it's brood to the death............and if you go to the RSPCA, I can guanrantee 100% what they will say to you............keep off the lake until the breeding season is over and the group has flown .

[Neil]

Just throw them a bit of stale bread

Ned

my wife refuses to eat stale bread

[pettyofficernick]

Nick
that's only Black swans on certain parts of the Thames
normal pond swans are fair game to anyone 

Well I never new that, I thought it applied to all swans, although there might be a bit of a struggle getting it in the roasting tin. As regards giving them bread, not good, it gives them the avian equivalent of rickets, and has no nutritional value, wholemeal bread is better, but still not good and feeding bread to the swans contributes to messing up the lake.

[Jerry C]

There's one on our lake has a go at me. I just calmly walk through him and like geese he goes away and picks on somebody else. Stand up to him, he won't hurt you and he certainly won't break your arm, that's an urban myth. Better still get the council to put up warning signs as previously suggested and knock seven bells out of him with one.
Jerry.

[dusty]

Hi
Just be carful we accidently killed a Swam and its mate died some weeks later and were thrown off the water.
 
dusty

[Netleyned]

Nick, I said throw the wife a bit of stale bread not the swans.
Bread and the plastic bags that get thrown in are a b nuisance.
Black swans are not Queenie's but escapees from parks.
Swans are owned by the Sovereign or some of the Worshipful
Companies like the Vintners.

Ned

[nemesis]

Hi, I go along with Jerry. Just walk straight at him and he will back down. You can try squawking louder that him. We once rescued a swan that was being attacked by a Cob & Pen, blood all over the place. Stand up to them and they will back down. They are not the nice creatures people think they are. Nemesis

[wibplus]

You could try singing to him and he might go away. 

You must have heard of a "swansong".   

I'll get me coat.   

[GAZOU]

 
Geoff wake up, it's not a monster, it's just a nightmare

[Spook]

Write a letter of complaint to the queen. Tell her to keep her bo00dy pets under control or you'll send Big Ron and the Boys round. ;-)