Where have the cygnets gone?

molliejane

Active Member
Hi everyone , Mollie Jane here.
I`m a recent joinee ,really enjoy reading all the chat about Stafford. I live near the centre of Stafford, have done since 1999.
Walking around the balancing pools at Castlefields which we do every day with the dog- 5 cygnets were born about 4 weeks ago from 6 eggs (one egg seemed to disappear?) , we noticed a few days ago there were only 4. Just been out again - only 2. Has anyone else noticed ?
 

ATJ

Well-Known Forumite
I have noticed ducklings broods losing members as time goes on. I figured a local heron was eating them.
 

molliejane

Active Member
That explains it! Was going down the "human criminal" route but it didn`t seem to make sense. (Not been keen on herons since one was spotted gulping down the frogspawn in our pond a few years ago.Presume the frogs took umbrage as none have been seen in there since then ...and it`s a lovely pond.)
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
If by any chance anyone up Wildwood way was wondering why there are no ducks on the 'Duck Pond' - that'll be the mink as well.

Normal service should resume when the ducklings are grown up enough to cease being mink takeaway.
 

1JKz

Well-Known Forumite
mink, heron ...all very circle of life, so no problem!

My money would be on a roaming dog with it's inconsiderate oblivious nonentity of an owner.
...there, i said it.
 

WildwoodPaul

Well-Known Forumite
If by any chance anyone up Wildwood way was wondering why there are no ducks on the 'Duck Pond' - that'll be the mink as well.

Normal service should resume when the ducklings are grown up enough to cease being mink takeaway.

Interesting you should say that took my daughter down there the other day with a few slices of bread and it was deserted. Whose is the boat in the middle?
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
Interesting you should say that took my daughter down there the other day with a few slices of bread and it was deserted. Whose is the boat in the middle?
I'm not sure - it used to be under control of the Izaac Walton Angling Association, the same body that issues licences to fish the canal (Staffs & Worcs - the one by the park amongst others?), but a group of people assumed the fishing rights (or ownership?) a few years ago. I don't know the who/what/where/why s of it all but it is they who have done all the work on it of recent years.

Including grounding a boat on the island it would appear. A little bird (well, actually a bloke what was fishing there) told me they are quite keen to be rid of the mink, by fair means or foul. I don't think the fowl are their main consideration in this desire.
 

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
If by any chance anyone up Wildwood way was wondering why there are no ducks on the 'Duck Pond' - that'll be the mink as well.

Normal service should resume when the ducklings are grown up enough to cease being mink takeaway.

I did notice whilst walking along the canal towpath by Wildwood last Sunday that the ducks with ducklings in tow only had a couple,instead of the usual little gang of them . Never thought of anything like mink taking them :(
 

zakkwylde87

Well-Known Forumite
I noticed there was only 2 cygnets left instead of four... I would have thought they'd be too big already for most things to eat. I counted 7 ducklings the other week now there's only 1! There must be some bloody hungry minks around.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I noticed there was only 2 cygnets left instead of four... I would have thought they'd be too big already for most things to eat. I counted 7 ducklings the other week now there's only 1! There must be some bloody hungry minks around.
Where ya bin, dude? I thought the mink might have got you, too..
 

gon2seed

(and me! - Ed)
Still 2 this morning!:slayer: l passed by on my way back, on foot, from Back2Bikes having dropped off seedling No'2's bike for reapair.
www.back2bikes.org.uk
Second time I have been in 2 days, yesterday, they screwed the nut back onto my pedal after it had come off, and I had walked back from Rugeley pushing it!:lolsmash:

Note for self! When you go out next time make sure you have the correct kit, so if a simple malfunction occurs you have the write tools to repair it! And DO NOT walk blithely past http://www.mammothlifestyle.co.uk/ at Milford! You probably wouldn't have had to pay! I made a donation at B2B, as ever fantastic place to go for all your bike needs IMO. Very reasonable & accomodating IMO.
 
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