The weather was a bit of a concern as we drove to Hoveton as rain had not been expected and the rain around Little Snoring was rather too heavy to be catching up and marking swans. Thankfully the rain had reduced considerably by the time we arrived and we met up with MHE, JM, ERB and after a bit of traffic trouble MR. There were fewer swans than the month before, but still quite a few birds without any leg rings. We also took the opportunity to record the codes for the previously processed birds.
While there, two swans were observed to have fishing line around there necks, one or both potentially having an embedded hook. We were unable to catch up either of the birds and the swan rescue person was phoned and notified. The code from the single marked bird was provided so the bird can be identified and captured, then assessed when he checks in on the Hoveton swans in the next day or two. He will of course also look for the unmarked bird.
Next we visited Wroxham broad where we had received a request to mark the resident pen and single cygnet from last year. The Cob 4FYI had been ringed at Hoveton when we visited on 8th February. There was a great deal of activity on the lake as pairs have recently moved in with a view to establishing breeding territories. On several occasions adult swans, with wings held high came steaming across the water to assert dominance over others, ultimately resulting in us being unable to catch the cygnet. Most of these birds will probably move on with only one or two birds taking up residence to breed on Wroxham broad.
There were also a few captures at Potter Heigham and a single cygnet from Rollesby broad.
Throughout the day a couple of Mallard and a Woodpigeon were also hand captured.
