Anglesey Black Swan

by Wil from Anglesey Hidden Gem
(Anglesey)

Marshland Winter Sunset

Marshland Winter Sunset

Dear Friends


Please have a good look at the above images, which I took a week and a half ago near the Anglesey County Town of Llangefni.

It was late Saturday afternoon and I had an hour or so to myself – which is a rarity – so I grabbed the opportunity and out I went. I couldn’t go far because it’s still Winter here on Anglesey and day’s end was near.

Nonetheless, I found my way to one of my favourite spots at this time of day, especially when the light cast was a watery silver and everything just about holds on to its form before dissociating.

Along I walk eyes and ears open for the richness of birdlife settling down for the evening. And, as I already said, shapes begin to lose coherence to the gathering shadows.

Coming down the river toward me I counted seven white swans and something very odd.

It was a Black Swan! Never seen one before but hopefully will once again, seeing as I now know where it lives and feeds. There were four pairs of swans all white save for the white and black bird pair.

Be aware, I could easily reach across the ethers into Google-Land to easily gather together all the information available ad nauseam and sadly ad absurdum; however, I prefer to speak to humans – anoraks are pushing the limit.

They were clearly a pair, so is this one of those outliers within a species?

Dear Friends, can you identify this mysterious beast for me?

Is it indigenous or a visitor?

Sorry to seem lazy, but I prefer a person’s experience to binary any day of the week.

Warmest regards

Wil

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Jan 24, 2012
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Break your arm y'know
by: Wil from Anglesey Hidden Gem

Hi Chris, Drew and Gordon

I knew I could depend on people out there.

I ask a question and cast it out to the World and am better educated as a conclusion.

'Tribbles'. I remember them well. Didn't they used to purr and were born pregnant, hence the Enterprise bridge was chocker with them.

I think that Captain James T Kirk had them all brought there and then beamed them onto the Klingon or Romulan ships who were being obstreperous.

I suppose we'll see more 'new' species as the climate adjusts warmly upward.

An interesting little fact:

The Snowdon Lily is to be found on steep mountain sides like Cegin Cythral (Devil's Kitchen) in the Ogwen Valley. You may know that. However, because they require quite specific conditions perfect at specific altitudes they are migrating.

It has been observed that the plant is now growing further and further up the cliffs. As we all know, even the highest cliff eventually has a top. The Snowdon Lily will run out of altitude and stop there a while before ... It's a sad end. But it looks inevitable.

All swans, black or white will break your arm ... if you throw them hard enough.

I started this item with sound scientific intent.

My sincere apologies and thank you for the information.

Wil


Jan 24, 2012
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Black Swan -
by: Anonymous

Yes, the Black Swan is native to Australia and now common also in New Zealand.

After the war the Australian government donated some to Winston Churchill.

They are also edible! In the duck-shooting season, a quota of them only is allowed. Not too many do, though.

Jan 24, 2012
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Black Swan.
by: Chris Williams

Hi Will,

There is a famous colony of Black Swans that have lived in Dawlish, on the South coast of Devon for a very long time.

Seems a long way from Anglesey though!

Best wishes,
Chris

Jan 24, 2012
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Bird-world is changing.
by: Done a lotta 'bird' for that.

Black Swan...of Australia.

The Black Swan has a somewhat even longer neck - looks like it has an 'overdose' of neck.

These Black Swans can and/or have been seen in London's "Regents Park" and the belief is that they were introduced to Regent's Park to add to the beauty there.

One would not hesitate to foresee the forthcoming offspring emerge even as far north as Anglesey given that some necessary adaptions to climate, habitat and other birds.

Imported exotic birds now haunt Kent for instance, and are as good as "flourishing". The now 'updated' British Bird books show these birds as the next best thing to "native". Thank goodness or thank "political-correctness'.

Today, here in Alaska at 11 Degrees Below Zero Fahrenheit, I have spotted the sturdy British 'Starlings!' Could one think of a more painful transplant?

These Starlings were fluffed up to appear gargantuan in relation to what we are aware of in Anglesey. Considering the severe temperatures here in Alaska I couldn't help but sympathise with these Starlings who were fluffed up to keep alive, and to such an extent, looking as large as Crows ( Corvix Corone ).

There they were, perched on the slim Birch trees sunning. The 'House Sparrow' (Passer Domesticus) another British bird, was also imported by 'homesick immigrants to California.

Aside from other species, the Dandelion was introduced to Alaska and thrives - Like those furry creatures called 'Tribbles' in an early 'Star-Trek episode!.

Dandelions as food brought over by Koreans form vast acres of yellow in Spring-Summer. There are many such less benign non-native fauna and flora that threaten native species.

The Pike was recently cast into some Alaskan lakes; their eradication is in the works. Tweet tweet and tally-Ho !

Drew

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