Swans return to River Ancholme

13 August 2005

The swans are back in Brigg. These four young cygnets (below) were seen in town today waiting to be fed - and were looking plump and healthy.

Swans with new cygnets

However, since the last sighting of a single young swan in the late spring there has been no sign of the swans anywhere in the vicinity of town.

Last winter remains of a swan were found on the riverbank near Newstead Priory. The adult bird seemed to have been taken by either a dog or a fox - perhaps when the swan was trying to protect its young.

This year has been unusual, with no swans seen to be waiting to be fed in the Ancholme in the centre of Brigg over the summer. The number of ducks too is well below normal.

Which leads to the question: why has the number of waterbirds seen on the River Ancholme gone suddenly and radically down? Is it to do with the very strange weather we have been having or is there another cause?

If you have any information or sightings could you please contact BriggLife on 07762 268 290 or by email to: ed@brigglife.co.uk.