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Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

The Mute Swan is the commonest swan and the only one in Britain likely to be seen during spring and summer. It is graceful and usually silent, but can hiss or snort. The difference between male and female is not always obvious. During the breeding season the black knob at the base of the male's bill swells to become noticeably larger than that on the female. The Pen (female) incubates her eggs on a heap of vegetation while the Cob (male) keeps close guard against predators and chases them off. Both adults share the responsibility of caring for the nest. Swans feed on water plants, seed, snails and insects.

'Super Andrew' reported that two swans visiting Hainault Lake had been ringed as part of a long term study investigating the demography of Mute Swans in south east England.

4CBX (Ring No. W41764) was a 6-year-old Pen(female), ringed by Mike Reed in 2016. She was spotted at Hollow Pond, Whipps Cross a number of times during 2016, 2017 and 2018. The last known sighting was at Wanstead Flats on 22nd April 2018.

4BXZ (Ring No. W41470) was a 5-year-old Pen, ringed by Mike Reed in 2016, also a regular at Hollow Pond, Whipps Cross during 2016 and 2017. Sadly, she was reported dead there after an animal attack on 1st November 2017.

Dogs attacking wildlife is a problem and owners are requested to be more considerate by keeping pets on leads and under control when in the Nature Reserve.

Birds