In March, the swans from the Bolesławiec pond chose a spot by its fence, on the side of Kubika Street. They began collecting dry leaves, twigs and pieces of plants and arranging them into a place to incubate their eggs.
Although they did not have very much material, they managed to build a modest nest, and as soon as the female swan began incubating the eggs, people from the Klekusiowo Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Tomaszów Bolesławiecki, who, together with MZGM in Bolesławiec, look after the pond and the animals living there, shielded the nesting site with a special screen.
This was intended to give the swans peace and keep them separated from passers-by peering in. There were also people who, seeing that the birds did not have much building material for their nest, brought them some dry twigs and straw. The swans readily used these “materials,” strengthening the nest. The female swan was incubating three eggs at the time…
Unfortunately, several days later, one of our readers found a broken egg in the morning. It was lying on the lawn near the pond. The other two eggs were lying in the water. Meanwhile, the pair of swans sat frightened on the bank, on the other side of the pond.
Most likely, someone decided to destroy the nest… Some time later, the female swan found the eggs submerged in the water and tried somehow to save them… It was a very depressing sight. See for yourselves:
The sad incident at the pond moved Klekusiowo’s manager, Mieczysław Żuraw, who is a great friend of animals and helps them as much as he can, devoting a great deal of strength, time and energy to it.
It was decided that the Bolesławiec swans needed help and that their safety had to be ensured. To this end, the Klekusiowo team installed a footbridge at the pond, making it easier for the birds to get onto and off the island.
Additionally, Klekusiowo launched a fundraiser for an online camera to increase safety at the pond. In the meantime, the swans built a second nest and chose a new spot… on the other side of the pond (from Bankowa Street). There, too, people from Klekusiowo shielded them from passers-by, but unfortunately this time as well, one of the eggs was pulled out of the nest and broken.
The female swan was not discouraged, however, and laid more eggs. There were five in total. Ultimately, none of them hatched, although the female swan spent about two months incubating them (this usually takes about 35 days).
She has now abandoned the nest, and the next attempt to expand the swan family will have to wait until next year. This time, the safety of the birds at the municipal pond will be helped by an online camera, which monitors the pond 24 hours a day. The camera was installed thanks to the money raised during the fundraiser.
Installation of a camera at the municipal pond in Bolesławiec
Despite these experiences, the pair of swans from the Bolesławiec pond still wants to live there, still trusts people and willingly swims over to them. Taking this opportunity, we remind you and appeal to you not to feed birds bread. This food is unhealthy for them and can cause various diseases, including the so-called angel wing. If we want to give them something healthy to eat, it is best to use the duck food dispenser located by the pond.
At the same time, we encourage you to support the Klekusiowo Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Tomaszów Bolesławiecki. Klekusiowo helps various animals, both small and large. The number of animals at the centre is constantly growing. Sick, injured or abandoned animals receive attentive care there. Visit klekusiowo.pl and find out how you can help.
Sign reading “premises under surveillance”