A JUVENILE swan became the focus of attention after it was chased from the boating pond at Musselburgh Lagoons by the adult birds.
Ranger Kristian Purchase, who is no stranger to working with swans, was on hand to safely move the younger swan to a quieter area of the site.
Although the bird was not injured, it was loitering on the grass, raising concerns that a loose dog might get too close or injure the bird.
Before joining East Lothian Council’s Countryside Ranger Service, Kristian was a bird keeper with the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust. He worked specifically with wildfowl like swans for about eight years and continues to volunteer with the trust.
A council spokesperson said: “It is normal behaviour for adult swans at this time of year to seek to remove their offspring from their nesting area as they prepare for the new breeding season.
“It could be said to be the equivalent of humans seeking their 20-somethings to leave home!
“As the bird nesting season approaches, we would like to remind people visiting countryside sites, particularly if they are exercising dogs, to ensure that they remain at a distance from swans and other birds and to keep dogs under control, ideally on a lead.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here