In April this year we had a normal swan family on the pond, with the female on the island nest and the male constantly chasing the four remaining of last years brood. Sadly he died and was found near the viewing stage with his feathers unruffled. Twelve days later on 17th May eight cygnets were born. The mother swan then had to protect her brood alone from natural hazards and dogs. Nature took its course and at only two days old one tiny cygnet was found dead followed two weeks later by another going missing. The four yearlings remained but one was killed by a dog at the pondside in early June. By 14th June there were only four of the original eight cygnets remaining. One of the yearlings, by now white and fully grown, was killed by a dog in the burn and two days later another was found dead and mutilated by the pondside.

The Figgate pond supports many waterfowl. Apart from the resident swans and feral grey-lag and canada geese, whose numbers vary from nil to about one hundred, We have nesting mallards, moorhens and coots plus other visiting species. Four mallard families were successfully reared this year, but sadly no moorhens or coots were successful. The breeding season requires a lack of disturbance of the birds and their habitat during the Spring and Summer months.

I have personally seen several dog attacks on the pond birds. Some of these are "playful" encounters by the dogs but are very stressful to the birds. One lady owner when challenged indignantly claimed it was "a dog's right".

Can I appeal to all dog walkers in the park to control their dogs when anywhere near the waterfowl. Please do not throw balls or sticks in the pond for your dog to retrieve. If your dog is frisky and enjoys chasing ducks, restrain it on a lead. Our park is beautiful and proposed plans for development during the Winter will make it even more attractive to visitors and wildlife.

Tom Forsyth