99 Swans in single file.....is that normal? (1 Viewer)

Just read a previous thread on swans by silversnapper and it reminded me that last year we were at the Menai Straights (on the mainland looking across to Anglesey) when a herd of Swans glided past in single file.......we counted them at 99. Absolutely all were single file i.e. no doubles. Is that unusual .....both the number and strict single file?

BTW is 'herd' correct ? I only read it in silversnappers post!

David Smith said:

BTW is 'herd' correct ? I only read it in silversnappers post!

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Sort of (but "flock" works even better).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_collective_nouns_for_birds

Is it not a bank of swans?
And 99 red balloons

I think herd of swans is a good term in the uk at least - possibly relating to semi-captive origins, traditional swan herding, and the observation that a group of swans spread out over the fields look very much like a herd of ruminants would.

At least at Abbotsbury (famous swannery) they refer to them as a herd.

http://www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/swannery/index.htm


wrt to the swimming behaviour, I'd hazard a guess that it wasn't just by chance, maybe they were able to slipstream each other much as they would in the air (assume it could be strongly tidal across the straits). Although cyclists and birds do this at higher speeds, not sure how the science works at lower speeds in more viscous medium of water.

Must have been an interesting sight!

dantheman said:

wrt to the swimming behaviour, I'd hazard a guess that it wasn't just by chance, maybe they were able to slipstream each other much as they would in the air (assume it could be strongly tidal across the straits). Although cyclists and birds do this at higher speeds, not sure how the science works at lower speeds in more viscous medium of water.

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Something to with vortices from the paddling feet, plus psychologically probably easier to follow directly behind than struggle on your own. (Not sure if the swans are into the psychology aspect mind - every time they see a shrink they turn into a duck ...)

David Smith said:

99 Swans in single file.....is that normal?

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If it's an old system, a filesize of 99 is probably the maximum allowable, so yes, probably normal ...

(sorry!)