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Day 2 - Snoozing with Swans


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Day two of 30 Days Wild consisted of a bike ride to ForthQuarter Park after work to chill out with a beautiful couple who are to be graced with the patter of tiny webbed feet any day now.

Upon my arrival, Mr A. Swan* was busy with some home improvement DIY, overseen by a watchful eye of the missus.

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As she dozed, he warned off all the unwanted attention of gathering crowds and canine interferences by puffing up and striding intimidatingly forward.

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Once satisfied everything was in order, he settled down for a rest within sight of his beautiful partner, remaining alert to any disturbances and threats.

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They were both accepting of my presence and I spent a wonderful hour sitting, watching them and observing their interactions with people and other wildlife, of which there was so much; swallows flitting overhead; goldfinches, chaffinches, blue tits and all manner of other little song birds darting between trees, singing away; and ducks, coots and moorhens dabbling about in the water. So many people who walked by paused for a while to enjoy the sight of the happy couple.

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Amazingly, this area is part of a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) – aimed at reducing pollution in waterways by working with natural processes to break down pollutants. At the same time it provides a wildlife haven and somewhere for human residents to visit, unwind and enjoy time with their feathered neighbours.

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I brought my 30 Days Wild wallchart with me, to fill in outside – in spirit of being true to the outdoors theme. I got part way through it, and realised it would be good to have some inspiration; but having deleted my email account from my phone in a bid to reduce screen time, I couldn’t pull up the 30 Days Wild email! Off I go now to finish filling it in before bed…

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*I admit - in case you are questioning - that the name is made up, but you can tell male mute swans apart from females by the larger black knobbly bit at the base of his bill.

#WildlifeTrusts #muteswans #nature #Spring #Edinburgh #park #SuDS #people #photography #30DaysWild

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