Two-hour rescue operation sparks mating season warning to dog owners

THE kind of row that will be familiar to any parent who has had problems getting children to leave the nest erupted on Hampstead Heath on Monday.
But this time the parent involved was a swan and the unseemly squabble sparked a two-hour rescue operation.
The trouble began when father swan, having put up with three offspring for a year, decided it was time they moved on – so he could get back to the serious business of mating.
Two of the three young swans left after father beat his wings, but the third resolutely refused to get the message.
Heath walker and photographer Ron Vester heard a commotion coming from the ponds – and saw the swan trying to persuade the youngster to take flight.
He said: “There was a kerfuffle and finally the swan was marched off.
“After all, his father was much bigger than him.”
But the young swan then threw a tantrum and, instead of flying to another pond on the Heath, hung around and had to be chased by father swan onto nearby South Hill Park, where it staged a sit-down protest, forcing cars to swerve.
Heath rangers Paul Drew and Justin Walsh were called, and spent the next two hours rounding up the irate swan before moving it to a new home at the Vale of Health pond – far enough away to let the parents have some much-needed peace.
Heath superintendent Simon Lee said the problem was common in the spring, when the breeding season starts.
He added: “We have had some problems with the adults asking their youngsters to leave all week.
“During the spring, understandably, the breeding pairs want to be left alone.”
Mr Lee also asked Heath walkers to take extra care.
He added: “This is an important time for the swans and we want people to respect that.”
Swans were liable to attack dogs if they came near nests – and the swans often came off worse. He said: “We have lost three swans in the past year to dogs. Owners must take extra care to keep their animals under control at this time of year.”