Kelly's Swamp: spoonbills and possible vandalism

["martin butterfield" <>]

I swung by Cygnus hide today to check on the spoonbill situation.  I couldn't see any chicks although the bird in the LH nest stood up at one point and there was a changeover in the upper nest (much bowing and bill clacking as this occurred).

Of more concern to me was that it looked as though some of the lower branches in the nest willow had been cut.   It was a bit far with binoculars to be certain it wasn't storm damage so if someone has a telescope out there it would good to have a close look at the bottom the tree to resolve this.  

I asked if the school had seen anyone out there and was told no, but was told there have been a few instances of strange behaviour after hours (eg they found a arrow embedded in the grass).  I also contacted Canberra Nature Park to see if anyone was doing anything official out there that might have involved cutting a few branches and have been advised (after some checking around by the person I spoke to) that this is not the case.  I really hope that this isn't an egger enhancing their collection.

Martin