Disposing of Dead Swan...

[Tuvra]

Hi Guys, first time in this section.

I have a Grounds Maintenance company that manages the local privatley owned canal. 2 Days ago we had a numerous emails in regards to a female swan that had died along our section of canal, the dead bird is in the nest (which people suggest has eggs in) and its mate is circling protectivley.

The people who had reported the dead bird firstly contacted the RSPCA, who in an uniterested manner told the people to contact us, we then decided to contact RSPB explaining the situation and what they suggested we do.

The reply went like this:

RSPB said:

"if you believe that the swan was killed intentionally then you will need to contact the police with your evidence......

.....please bear in mind that they will need enough evidence to be able to ascertain who, if anyone, committed a crime, in order to be able to follow it up. Unfortunately, if there is little evidence, then there is not much that they can do.

Regarding moving the swan, unless there is a reason to suspect that a crime has been committed and it is being investigated (in which case the police will advise you on what to do) then there is no need to move the swan.

This may be my soft side, but why on earth are the RSPCA or the RSPB not coming to inspect the dead bird and dispose of its carcass? The male swan is very protective of the nest and the dead swan is causing the public unnecasary distress and sadness. I would be happy to assist these organisations in recovering the carcass, but the issue is causing me serious headaches because:

• The male swan is still protecting the nest
• Where/how do I dispose of the carcass
• If we get caught handling a swans carcass, god knows what kind of aggro it could cause
• The nest is very difficult to access without moving our weedcutting vessel in to the area (hundreds of pounds)
• What do we do with the eggs etc

Its a very sad sight and one I dont wish people to see day after day, however from the response above, it appears this is what the RSPB is suggesting.

Any thoughts, suggestions etc?

[Leithen]

Contact the RSPB yourself and ask those questions.

Edited to Add - by telephone and request meeting a representative.

[y2blade]

why not ring the RSPB yourself?

[Tuvra]

Sorry I wasnt very clear, the public didnt contact the RSPB, just the RSPCA, it was the manager of the canal who contacted the RSPB directly by email, he did it via email to create a paper trail rather than just taking someones word over the telephone.

[bob1179]

A pair a good rubber gloves, a spade and a bin liner. Go collect the bird in the bin liner, dig a decent depth hole away from the nest and somewhere scavengers can get to it, bury it and cover it up.

The only problem you'll have is the swans mate who will probably be aggressive towards you when you come near the nest, this is where the RSPB/RSPCA should be able offer some useful advice.

[Japveesix]

The eggs will likely be dead by now anyway, so just leave them there for scavengers to take. The male will be very protective and could seriously hurt someone (or be hurt if someone tries to fend it off) so be very careful.

It would be just as bad, if not worse, for your to be seen handling the eggs as it would the dead swan. If you can safely collect the dead bird then do so and perhaps binbag and bury it as suggested above.

If you can't safely get it without risking injuring yourself or the bird then you should just leave it and put up notices that explain the situation to the public. It'll get eaten and rot away sooner or later and the male will move on.

[dudleybloke]

i would double cook it then shred it cantonese style and eat with pancakes and plum sauce.

[Sam_68]

All swans belong to the Queen.

I think that means you're legally obliged to put it in a cardboard box and post it to Buckingham Palace.

[dudleybloke]

Sam_68 said:

All swans belong to the Queen.

I think that means you're legally obliged to put it in a cardboard box and post it to Buckingham Palace.

or if your passing the palace just throw it over the fence!

[sadako]

Put it on freecycle.

[MudSkipper]

Tuvra said:

Sorry I wasnt very clear, the public didnt contact the RSPB, just the RSPCA, it was the manager of the canal who contacted the RSPB directly by email, he did it via email to create a paper trail rather than just taking someones word over the telephone.

Where abouts are you based?

[bexVN]

I'm disappointed in both. A swan that is of healthy age to breed does not usually drop dead on a nest. I'm surprised they wouldn't want to check for eg fishing line or even bird flu. Is it worth trying one of them again. I'd imagine the rspca have more authority.

[TBSC]

Many years ago I came across a dead swan on the Thames and a lock keeper suggested I contact the Natural History Museum in London and give them the numbers off the rings on its legs. When I did, they asked me to cut the rings off and send them to them but the swan had drifted out of reach by then.
The Queen technically owns all the Swans but only chooses to claim and ring the ones on the Thames and has joint ownership with the Worshipful Company of Vintners and the Worshipful Company of Dyers, so you may want to contact them.
Google them or "Swan Upping"