Black swan spends winter in Belfast

Published Thursday, 13 December 2012
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Swans may be a common sight at the Waterworks in north Belfast, but bird-watchers have been enjoying the sight of a more unusual black swan among the regulars.

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Black swans, which also feature a distinctive red bill, are native to Australia.

But the highly nomadic birds are now more frequently being spotted outside their usual climes, due at least in part to escapees from wildfowl reserves making their home in nearby wetland areas.

West Belfast man Pat Hall is a keen birdwatcher and, when he heard about the latest visitor to the Waterworks, had to see for himself.

"I like watching and taking photos of birds, so I said I'd have to come over and see what the craic is," he told UTV.

"I'd never heard of it before and couldn't wait to see it. Delighted."

And he certainly wasn't the only one to be impressed by the beautiful sight.

Martin O'Neill has been visiting the park every day for years, often stopping to feed the birds.

"I saw two black swans about 10 years ago," he told UTV.

"But it is a novelty - a lot of children will never have seen a black swan in their lives."

© UTV News
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3 Comments
Ady in Tyrone wrote (159 days ago):
It won't be there too long, the white swans will have a peaceful protest and force it out. It is Belfast after-all !
Marty O'Neill in Belfast wrote (160 days ago):
Its a novelty, some people havent seen the black swan in their lives.
Lauren Bideau in Derry City wrote (160 days ago):
You have reported about a black swan in Belfast, I have pictures of 2 that have lived on Inch Lake for years now which is just over the boarder in Donegal!
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