While at West Belconnen Pond
today taking a weekly video of the swan chicks (now 5 weeks
old) I noticed something on the high voltage powerlines to the
west of the pond. It turned out to be a dead swan which
seemed be hanging by one wing from the line. Because of the
separation of the lines, electrocution would not be possible.
While I realise that collisions with powerlines are a risk and
that swans do fly at night, I did not realise that a single
powerline could be such a significant hazard.
As the chicks I am photographing
were only accompanied by one parent today, I am interested to
know if the second parent is still around as this may impact
on the development of the chicks. So far all 6 chicks have
survived with the very dilligent attention of 2 parents. I
have observed one parent taking a break from the chicks
sometimes, so the other adult may have been one of the other
swans on the pond but generally the parent having a break has
stayed close by. Today the closest other swan was on the other
side of the pond.
If anyone is in the area and
observes two adults with the chicks could they please let me
know.
Thanks
Steve
