Yvonne the Swan – One of the Best Shows in Town

Published on: 2 Apr, 2019
Updated on: 4 Apr, 2019

Yvonne the Swan (Tuesday April 2, 2019)

A dramatic setting has been selected by a pair of mute swans to build a nest for this year’s brood of cygnets.

“Yvonne the Swan”, as nearby theatre workers have christened her, and her, still to be named, cob partner, started building their nest on the narrow fenced bank of the mill race in front of the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre a few weeks ago.

The pair of mute swans are nesting in front of the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

Mute swans normally mate for life, and what is believed to be the same pair have previously nested close to Millmead lock.

The pair nest building on March 20.

But one of the theatre staff said that it is not the first time the swans have nested in their current location and they have previously successfully raised broods of up to seven cygnets.

The nest building by the large birds has attracted considerable interest from pedestrians, many of whom have taken the opportunity for some close-up bird-watching. One theory is that the position, with people passing so close, might have been selected because it is safer from foxes.

The swans have used mainly the ivy to construct their nest but also incorporated is the odd tin can and, of course, pieces of ubiquitous plastic.

In the last few days, some protective netting has been put up to prevent passers-by putting their arms through the fence to take very close up photos.