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trielysian

Swan carpentry

TriElysian
19 years ago

We have a gazebo out on the island that we have been having work done on, new roof, new screens that type of thing. The work is almost done, but the guys doing it had to stop, they were being attacked. One of the pairs of swans decided that they would build their nest this year about 30 feet from the gazebo and right next to one of the chicken coops. DH went out the other night to close up the chicken coop and almost had his knee cap broken by the male.

At night the guys would leave their tools in the gazebo. Not sure whether they really stopped from being attacked or because the swans stole half their tools for the nest. So far they have shingles, screening, extension cords, light fixtures, chalk lines, a tool belt.

This was as close as I could get without being chased off.

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Comments (9)

  • ccox
    19 years ago

    Not many birds intimidate me, but swans and large geese do a pretty good job of keeping me at bay. I hope you get your gazebo fixed up before the momma lays eggs/begins sitting. That male will eat you for breakfast once that happens.
    Have you considered fencing the nest off so they can have access to the water, but not the rest of your property> Even a half-baked job of cheap fence should do the trick (T-posts and chicken wire?). Someone would have to stand guard with a broom while another person did the work of driving posts and stringing fence.
    Take care,
    Carla

  • Poochella
    19 years ago

    Lovely nest. Trielysian, what is that item in front, in black; looks like binoculars or a headlamp? I can't believe those fowl would steal a toolbelt LOL! Crafty little devils aren't they?

  • Debbie_T_in_NC
    19 years ago

    Maybe, the female swan is giving her husband a hard time because your gazbo looked better than their nest! Sooo, he stole the tools to stop construction!! :) Good luck in getting back the workers belongings... Debbie

  • TriElysian
    Original Author
    19 years ago

    Poochella the black thing is the light fixture that was suppose to be hung on the gazebo, they took it right out of the box.

    CCox there is really no way to fence these guys off in a temporary manner. The water litterally drops to around 8-10 deep right off the bank in the area they are at. We have done alot of fencing in the water, standing in an airboat. We build our duck houses so that the mother ducks and babies are caged with access to the water (I don't like cleaning up after baby ducks). The cage in the pic happens to be one that connects to a house that the chickens took over, which is right next to the swans nest.

    We have floating rafts with wooden houses on them which the swans have used in the past. This year I think the otters might be bothering them so they decided to move on land.

    {{gwi:33518}}
    duck cage
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    duck cage
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    The island where the swans are
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    Gazebo and where the nest is
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    She is sitting

  • Poochella
    19 years ago

    Wow! I would love to be a duck at your place (if the swans left me alone)- it's like Disneyland. What a great playground you have to enjoy. Very cool.
    Poochella

  • ccox
    19 years ago

    What are the giant black birds on the bridge from your place to the island? In the pic, they look almost like wild turkeys.
    Hey, what about a hotwire. Tall enough for the ducks to scoot under and low enough for you to step over? It seems a shame not to be able to use the island all spring/summer.
    Carla

  • TriElysian
    Original Author
    19 years ago

    CCox they are turkeys, I have aroung 25 of them. They keep an eye on things.

    I am hoping after the eggs hatch the swans will just move to another part of the property like they have in the past. They never stay where the nest has been and even though they are very protective of the babies they aren't anywhere near as mean as they are right now. The others haven't even started nests yet so we will see.

  • Pipersville_Carol
    18 years ago

    Thanks for posting such interesting photos. Boy, swans sure make huge nests. And she looks so graceful and pretty sitting on it.

  • a1sspike
    14 years ago

    Omg this is so neat. I know it has been ages since anyone posted to this message but I was so curious how things worked out with the swans.

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