During nesting season the swans are instinctively protective of their young and we urge all river users to give swans the space they and their budding families need.
Some of the town’s swans are nesting by the Town Bridge and will be laying eggs shortly – if they have no yet already.
We would like to urge humans engaging in river activities such as paddle-boarding and kayaking to be careful not to disturb the areas where swans are nesting.
Last year a paddle boarder got too close to a protective swan and was tipped off his board into the water.
Did you know?
It’s illegal to disturb any nesting bird. Along with the swans, other birds that nest on the riverside and mammals such as otters and water voles are vulnerable.
Birds that nest on the ground such as skylarks or lapwings are in serious decline.