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Royal Canal near Broombridge - Angry Swan!

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  • 24-04-2019 8:35pm
    #1
    **Timbuk2**
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 7,395 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Anyone notice a fairly agitated swan hanging out on the tarmac path between Broombridge turnoff and Ratoath Rd bridge.

    Despite being it being a very busy path, the swan seems to be trying to snap at all passerbys. It takes particularly umbrage to bicycles - often spreading it's wings and pursuing for a couple of metres.
    A.M. and P.M. - an otherwise relaxing stretch to commute along!

    Just in my head? Is it better to get off and pass slowly in pedestrian mode? :)


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    #2
    Weepsie
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,835 Mod ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    Protecting the nest. Cygnets are about to be born over the next few week, give it as a wide a berth as possible.


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    #3
    buffalo
    Registered Users Posts: 8,050 ✭✭✭buffalo


    **Timbuk2** wrote: »
    Just in my head? Is it better to get off and pass slowly in pedestrian mode? :)

    If he's on the bank, you can usually speed by on the far side of the path. If he's on the path, then I'd hop off and walk, with the bike between you and the swan acting as a shield. You can also protect any nearby pedestrians in the same manner, they're thankful for it.

    He generally doesn't actually chase anyone, just protecting the nest as Weepsie says.


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    #4
    PhoenixParker
    Registered Users Posts: 2,671 ✭✭✭PhoenixParker


    Happens every year. The cygnets must have hatched. Just go quickly and confidently putting as much distance between you and the swan as possible on the narrow path.

    It's utterly terrifying.


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    #5
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,330 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    remember - if you are attacked and wounded by a swan, get a passerby to urinate in the open wound, it's the easiest way of neutralising the venom.


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    #6
    Mac-Chops
    Registered Users Posts: 291 ✭✭Mac-Chops


    We stopped on bikes at the weekend for a look here as the female was on the nest which was cool to see. Male just stayed close by in the water but as soon as we got on the bikes to cycle away he chased us in the water for a good 50m or so.

    There's another nest down at Shandon although it's on the opposite/South side and out in the open which seemed strange.

    It's a fine gauntlet at the moment with the odd scrambler and group of chungfellas to contend with also.


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    #7
    Mercian Pro
    Registered Users Posts: 2,274 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    In case you're attacked and feel like suing Waterways Ireland:
    https://www.irishtimes.com/news/woman-victim-of-swan-s-attack-loses-injury-claim-1.309624


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    #8
    irlirishkev
    Registered Users Posts: 2,502 ✭✭✭irlirishkev


    There's a few on the Grand Canal now too. I was watching the male build throw sticks out from the undergrowth toward a nest the other day. Was pretty cool.

    Now the last few mornings, she's been sitting on the nest, and he's standing guard. A few people fly past too close, but most slow right down and give them a wide berth. A stop go system if coming from different directions as well.


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    #9
    07Lapierre
    Registered Users Posts: 8,215 ✭✭✭07Lapierre


    Mercian Pro wrote: »
    In case you're attacked and feel like suing Waterways Ireland:
    https://www.irishtimes.com/news/woman-victim-of-swan-s-attack-loses-injury-claim-1.309624

    Glad this case failed.... sure swans have no money anyway! :)


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    #10
    TheBlaaMan
    Registered Users Posts: 3,442 ✭✭✭TheBlaaMan


    Let's change the name on the thread to 'protective swan' - they are not 'angry' but like all wild animals will assume you are out to do harm if you come near its nest at this time of year. There has been a myriad of cases here of swans being attacked by scumbags with crossbows, catapults etc to suggest that their wariness of humans is justified.

    These are large birds but be sensible and all is well. Live and let live......


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    #11
    WadeWatts
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭WadeWatts


    Is this still an issue? I've been avoiding the area and heading along the navan road instead but would like to get back to a pleasant canal cycle


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    #12
    TheBlaaMan
    Registered Users Posts: 3,442 ✭✭✭TheBlaaMan


    I dont know the area, but you should be able to get past the swan without any issue, just be assertive, without making any fuss or shouting or waving your arms about etc; if in doubt, get off and walk the bike briskly past him keeping it between you and him. You could always bring some green vegetables (but NOT bread....) with you and throw them for him and may get distracted but thank you...... :)


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    #13
    LollipopJimmy
    Registered Users Posts: 5,430 ✭✭✭LollipopJimmy


    TheBlaaMan wrote: »
    I dont know the area, but you should be able to get past the swan without any issue, just be assertive, without making any fuss or shouting or waving your arms about etc; if in doubt, get off and walk the bike briskly past him keeping it between you and him. You could always bring some green vegetables (but NOT bread....) with you and throw them for him and may get distracted but thank you...... :)

    I always thought bread was bad for swans but apparently fresh bread and grains etc is perfectly ok. Don't give them meat though because they are vegetarians, possibly even vegan but if they're vegan then they'll likely tell you straight away


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    #14
    PhoenixParker
    Registered Users Posts: 2,671 ✭✭✭PhoenixParker


    WadeWatts wrote: »
    Is this still an issue? I've been avoiding the area and heading along the navan road instead but would like to get back to a pleasant canal cycle

    I walk past him every morning. It's fine. He's either in the water or on the path at a point where its wide enough to easily give him a wide berth.


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    #15
    TheBlaaMan
    Registered Users Posts: 3,442 ✭✭✭TheBlaaMan


    Off topic, but bread isn't great for ducks/swans (despite what Pat Kennys resident vet thinks.......) but it not deadly either, unless its mouldy and this is perhaps a greater risk. Fresh veg or cooked rice etc is great...https://blog.education.nationalgeographic.org/2017/03/27/stop-feeding-ducks-bread/


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    #16
    Mercian Pro
    Registered Users Posts: 2,274 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    If we're still talking about the Broombridge swans, the nest this year is on the south bank in a very inaccessible spot. The cob doesn't seem to have fully appreciated this and still patrols the north (towpath) bank. Walking the dog along there has been ok but I saw an Alsatian and its owner being seriously intimidated when they stopped on the jetty opposite the nest. Cycling generally hasn't been a problem.

    The nests at Shandon and just below Cross Guns bridge are also on the south bank with no problems on the towpath. I haven't seen the otters along there for a while but I don't think the swans can be blamed for that.


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    #17
    **Timbuk2**
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 7,395 Mod ✭✭✭✭**Timbuk2**


    Cygnets have been born!

    https://twitter.com/RCPCA1/status/1131988238753832960?s=19


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    #18
    Mercian Pro
    Registered Users Posts: 2,274 ✭✭✭Mercian Pro


    No new arrivals yet at the 8th lock nest just upstream from Broombridge. The cob is still taking his nest guarding duties pretty seriously.


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