Mute Swan

An irregular visitor to Chard reservoir. Breeding has taken place on a few occasions but success rate is always poor.

05/06/26 - Pair with 5 juveniles.

14/08/60 - Maximum count of 16 birds. Again on 18/08.

04/12/66 - 8 birds.

19/03/78 - 9 birds.

??/07/84 - Pair present.

1986 - Pair & 5 immatures, although these probably did not breed at the reservoir.

1987 - Pair & nest.

1988 - Pair with 6 juveniles but they did not reach maturuty.

30/12/97 - 3 birds. Now an unusual visitor!

14/10/98 - 1 adult.

03/11/98 - 5 birds, including 2 immatures.

23/11/98 - 1 Black Swan.

01/12/99 - 2 adults, joined by an immature bird on 3 & 4/12.

27/01/00 - Single adult.

28/04/00 - 2 birds.

08/05/00 - 2 birds and 5 immatures on 15/05.

03/09/00 - 2 birds.

01/10/00 - 3 birds, 2 on 02/10 and 1 on 29/10.

2001 - A good year for Mute Swans with a max of 9 on 13/05. Also a pair stayed for 3 months from 02/06 and up to 4 present throughout November, 6 birds on 11/12 and 3 on 31/12.

2002 - There were 60 sightings through the year mainly of ones or twos. A pair stayed from April for 5 months and bred, but the single cygnet only lived for about 10 days. November was a good month again with a maximum of 6.

2003 - 35 sightings this year of mainly ones and twos and a maximum of 7 on 23/03

2004 - 24 sightings with maxumum 5 immature birds in March.

2005 - 26 sightings of mainly ones and twos and a maximum of 3 on 12/05.

2006 - 43 sightings of mainly ones and twos and a maximum of 3 in May and September.

2007 - 11 sightings mainly singles