A PAIR of unusual visitors turned up in a Canvey lake over the weekend – two black swans.
Easily recognisable from their white counterparts, black swans have black plumage, white flights and a bright red bill.
The duo were snapped at Canvey’s Smallgains lake on Friday afternoon by resident Michael Lewis.
READ MORE
- In pictures: Thousands descend on Southend seafront for return of Halloween Parade
“I was more than surprised to see a pair of black swans making home on one of our small lakes, he said.
“It is a very rare sight, I am told, and I hope they make it a permanent residence.”
The species, which originally comes from Australia, is rarely seen in the wild in the UK.
In 2012, a study found there were some 37 breeding black swans in the UK, and they've been sighted at over 200 locations.
Black swans in the UK are presumed to be feral escapees, that were once kept in zoos or on private grounds, etc
The rare birds tend to nest in April and September, although some can also have a winter clutch.
Black swans have been sighted regularly at Dawlish in Devon, where they’ve become the town’s emblem. Others have been spotted in Stockton on Tees, in County Durham, and Marlow, Buckinghamshire and now Canvey.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel