The mate left the pond after the attack, but has now returned with a new mate, a regular observer, known as GB, has reported to Wansteadium.
“It’s looking like there may be a happier new turn of events for the male swan who lost his Mrs Hannibal – the male who at first was clearly in a depressed state, flew away but has now returned, with a new female, to Heronry Pond. A tender, tentative courtship is taking place.
“It is good news that our male has not abandoned these ponds – but we need to make sure this female doesn’t meet the same fate as Mrs Hannibal and the male’s previous mate also (also killed in a dog attack plus cygnets, in 2012). Conditions vis a vis dog danger plus low water levels are unchanged, thus these swans and other birds are still vulnerable.”
Our favourite local historian John Rogers has made this charming film about interesting things to be found in the woods in Wanstead Park, including a nuclear bunker. Well worth a watch.
Regular visitors to Wanstead Park are mourning the death of a female swan – known colloquially as Mrs Hannibal – which was killed by a dog which ran into the middle of Heronry Pond.
Mrs Hannibal, pictured above, had been a familiar sight in the pond for years. After the bird was attacked on 10 March, the Forest Ranger and a swan rescue representative went into the pond to attend to the swan, but it died as it was being taken to the Swan Sanctuary in Middlesex.
One of the regular visitors told Wansteadium: “Mrs Hannibal was a particularly beloved character in the park.
“She was known and loved by Park regulars because she had been the resident female there for so many years, and was a very calm, unaggressive bird who families loved to feed and visit. She produced cygnets every year and everyone loved to come and see the little family every year.
“Her previous mate had been named Hannibal because he fiercely defended his territory whenever an alien swan flew in and tried to spend time at the pond. Interestingly he was only aggressive to other swans but not to humans, who love to feed him also. He died of natural causes in 2012. Mrs Hannibal went on to form a new pair with another male who was ‘widowed’ that year also.”
“This male is now a widower again and has even deserted the park, though I hope this is temporary. It was almost time for nesting season for the swans.”
The Wanstead Guardian is reporting that the park authorities are ‘”gathering evidence” that it will use to prosecute the owner’ of a dog following the death of the bird. Swans are protected species and there are also park by-laws against dogs being allowed in the water and being off a lead if they are out of control.
One of the factors the paper cites is the low water level in the ponds in Wanstead Park, which might have contributed to the dog entering the water.
Floating Pennywort in Perch Pond (Pic Robert Pickles)
The infestation is due to be addressed by contractors in the next few months – though complete eradication may be impossible. The Park authorities have applied to the Environment Agency to permission to take water from the River Roding in winter to help fill the Ornamental Water.
Police in Wanstead are mystified by bags of food shopping which are being left on the corner of Leicester Road and Hereford Road. The bags are from M&S and the Co-op. Who leaves them there? And who takes them away? Is it a guerrilla foodbank? Anyone who can shed light on the mystery is invited to add a comment here, or contact the Wanstead Safer Neighbourhoods Team directly.
