A psycho swan has been seen bullying other birds and killing goslings on the Thames at Abingdon. On Sunday morning I was shown evidence from a phone video of the swan holding goslings under the water, and scaring off the older geese who came near to try to help.

Then today I saw a swan, presumably the same one, attach some birds. The pictures show the chase,

and then the swan having pushed one of the other birds under the water. It reappeared somewhere else.

The swan did not appear to have young nearby.

The Abbey Fishponds is a small wetland nature reserve that runs between Radley Road and Audlett Drive in Abingdon, with houses either side.

The wetland part is made of ponds, seasonal ponds, sedges, reedbeds, and a brook that runs from end to end.

The Earth Trust is now responsable for the reserve, having taken over from BBOWT a couple of years ago. This week The Earth Trust roving Wildlife Wednesday event took place at the Abbey Fishponds. It was a chance to look for local wildlife and have lots of outdoor fun.

In the centre of the site is an embankment, known locally as ‘Daisy Bank’, which gave the idea that these could have been Abbey Fishponds.

On the first Saturday of the month a team of volunteers help to look after the area, and I believe they will be out from about 10:30, although you can check if interested. They will be using scythes not strimmers.

By the way June 1st is the start of the Oxford Festival of Nature. And the Worldwide City Daily Photo have their June 1st Theme Day on Nature.

Thankyou to Gill-Paul or Gill and Paul for these pictures that tell the story of how a very tired swan was headed from the market place to the Thames.