Swan trailing

On the trail of the newly fledged mute swan family who live near Wroxham Bridge.

Cheryl noticed one of the fast growing fluffy grey cygnets had a lame leg. Due to this anomaly, other water birds had started to pick on the cygnet.

Carol and Chris went on a mission aboard a Wroxham Launch Hire dory boat to capture the cygnet and look at the dicky leg.

Fortunately, the junior swans went over to a small rustic slipway; where they waddled up to dry off and preen for a while.

The casualty was soon identified. Her right leg had somehow ruptured at the top and middle. The 'knee' which is the joint that attaches the leg to the body on a bird had broken ~ and was back to front. The lower 'ankle' joint, just above the foot (often mistaken as the knee) was also seriously fractured, with an open wound.

The cygnet's leg resembled the frightful bone twisting characteristics of the demonically possessed girl 'Regan MacNeil' from the 1973 'The Excorcist' film.

We conferred with animal rescuers to see what was best for the casualty who had a complex injury. It was jointly decided to take the cygnet into care for closer inspection and safety. She was wrapped in a towel and taken to sanctuary. 

Chris

Swan parking

A member of Hoveton~Wroxham swan pack was slightly disoriented on the forecourt of Norfolk Marine chandlery. She most likely flew down onto busy Church Road by mistake. This wouldn't have been an issue a little over a century ago, as the area wasn't developed, being agricultural land bordering wild marshes. 

The pen went into classic defensive mode, as animals who are confused, or feel threatened in some way instinctively do. She charged steadily towards us, with head bowed down, while hissing raspishly. 

We managed to grab her without any hassle and dropped her by one of the main dykes leading off the River Bure nearby. 

Chris 

All board the train

Awaiting departure of the 11.15 Bure Valley Railway train, pulled by 2~6~2 tender locomotive Blickling Hall from Hoveton~Wroxham station to Alysham.

It's 200 years of the first public rail travel in Britain. Trains transformed the previously much smaller villages of Hoveton and Wroxham. Goods were brought and dispatched ~ and of course the rail network allowed swifter access from all parts of the country to embark on Broadland boating holidays.

Strangely, as the last coal mining operation closed in Cymru last year, coals for the BVR and all other heritage railways now has to be imported from Poland. 

Chris 

Club pigeon foot

Last Friday, waterfowl steward Chris was going along the riverside walk when a lady and young lad were stood on a corner holding a pigeon; perplexed as what to do to help the distressed bird. The pigeon was bleeding from a bulbous right foot ~ and had lost a clawed digit. 

Animal rescue champ Paul picked up the pigeon from Wroxham Launch Hire cabin at King's Staithe ~  he was already in transit to Horning to deliver an injured pigeon to Carol, who is a busy gardener by profession. 

Carol's diagnosis ~ "Had a look and it's a bit grim, but probably seen worse unfortunately. I've cut one very deep piece of line and covered it in neem oil which is really good for this sort of thing plus his painkillers. Lots of bleeding too." 

Suzy is part of Lapwing education, a bespoke therapeutic education provider working across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex who provide education programmes for young people not in education, employment or training.

Suzy said ~ "Thank you again for Friday, it was an exceptional experience for us all. We shared the experience across our organisation and have inspired some of our youngsters to think more carefully and kindly about our wildlife. I'm hoping me and Harrison can get more involved... he was so proud of himself."

For further information ~

lapwingeducation.co.uk

Small animal pet parrier case courtesy of Brian from the Old Mill Cafe Bar, Hoveton. 

Timothy

Hello, Dollies!

We are pleased to announce Heather water bird food is now stocked at Dollies Deli, located at Horstead with Coltishall, a few miles up the River Bure from Hoveton and Wroxham. 

The deli has an unrivalled regional in house bakery and cafe, located by expansive and tranquil green riverside commons.

Dollies is easily accessible by road from Norwich and the surrounding area ~ and by river by boat; where there are beautiful moorings by the locks, a few minutes walk away. 

By supporting both Dollies and Heather, you are bolstering conservation of waterfowl on the Upper River Bure in their ancestral habitat all year round; helping innovation, culinary skills and local employment ~ as well as assisting with the preservation of a one of a kind heritage boat Heather, National Small Boat Registration number 1440.

For further details about the deli and opening times ~

Dollies Deli, Unit 2, Norwich Road, Horstead, NR12 7EE.

@dolliesdeli

Chris, Timothy 

Cheery watery connectivity

Scarlet and her daughter Essie from North Walsham were recent local guests in Hoveton and Wroxham. Essie loves ducks so much she even has a number of duck badges on her shoes. 

Scarlet kindly wrote to us after visiting the Heather Greylag booth ~ "We had a lovely chat last weekend when we were feeding the ducks and swans. My daughter was especially excited that you gave her one of the little rubber ducks that she has drawn a little picture to say thank you and to say thank you for looking after her favourite animals by providing year round food and care."

Andrew