Black Swan (1 Viewer)

I spotted a Black Swan amongst a group of mute swans early this morning on the Ferry Boat pub stretch of the River Trent at Burton Joyce, Notts. Is this more common than I imagine or is it something more special?

I could be wrong here, but i think they're generally considered to be 'escapes' .... Not too sure how common they are though, just not as common as mutes

loner said:

I spotted a Black Swan amongst a group of mute swans early this morning on the Ferry Boat pub stretch of the River Trent at Burton Joyce, Notts. Is this more common than I imagine or is it something more special?

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I think there have been some records of breeding in the UK but the birds are all escapees and do not seem able to cope with naturalising here. Black swans caused immense problems outcompeting Nerw Zealand wildlife when introduced there but it seems that they suffer too much competition from mute swans and Canada geese to become established here. Funnily enough, peacocks cannot get established in the UK either despite just being large pheasants but this is probably because they are a forest species and cannot cope with foxes and other predators of open areas. Peacocks can breed under controlled conditions so it is not climate but feral birds are rarely successful.

Ian Peters said:

I think there have been some records of breeding in the UK but the birds are all escapees and do not seem able to cope with naturalising here.

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Definitely bred as I've seen a pair with young at Audley. There's often a bird at Hatfield Forest (and indeed was today).