Local News

Alcoholic mink attack swans

A gang of drunken mink have chased off the nesting swan from the Quayside after a late night attack.

The site was being poorly protected by the Environment Agency and the RSPCA after they were alerted by local swan watchers Dale Williams and Alan Pollard.

The bright orange cordoning put up obviously afforded piss poor protection as by Saturday one egg was missing. There was no broken shell or any indication that a struggle had taken place.

There were no signs of forced entry, although Mr Williams said: "We know there are mink about and they would take eggs. We did find about 20 lager cans and cider bottles around the site but we don't know for sure if it was linked to the swan leaving.

"We have had problems before with a swan's nest near the Port Royal where mink took eggs and scared the swans off."

The Port Royal has since banned mink from drinking either inside the main bar or it's beer garden.

There are alternative theories however. The Cob was known for being aggressive. Earlier in the week he had drowned a young male swan that had ventured too close to the nest, so it's possible he may have come home in a drunken state and had an argument.

The female swan is thought to have moved down the river now, leaving the male guarding it's nest, and whilst we have been unable to get a statement from either party, the Pen has been seen swimming around the quay area with a moor hen.

At this point though, this is purely speculation. Mink are known alcoholics and have been seen in the area acting like dicks.

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