Jen McLoughlin from Widnes used to be petrified of birds, until her 1000-mile challenge took her daily through a park that was full of them. It was time to face her fears – and she did it with style. Now Jen is a duck and swan warden in the park, and she’s just helped one swan in particular reach a major milestone of his own…
“Chunk was a cygnet from the pond in the park I walk in every morning.
I’ve been feeding the swans since I got over my fear of them, and I’ve been with Chunk almost everyday since he was born. We’ve got so close I’ve even got a thing where I say “What what” and nod my head and he does it back. I’ve tried it with other swans and it doesn’t work. So I can definitely spot him whenever I get there.
Mum and dad swan have been trying to chase him off for a good few weeks.
It’s nesting and mating time and time for Chunk to grow up and leave home. He left once but only ended up five minutes away in the middle of a housing estate, so we had to go get him and put him back in the pond.
Chunk is newly hatched!
Growing up cute and fluffy.
What a handsome boy! Now time to leave home…
Last night we decided we needed to lift him before he gets injured.
We did it this morning. Steve, also a ranger, took him down to Spike Island which is on the River Mersey but still in my town Widnes. It’s a canal with plenty of swans – around 30 – and there’s swans his age too. So hopefully he’ll pair up in a few years’ time. I’m lucky as his new place is on my Saturday, walk so I’ll still be able to see him grow up.
Off we go to your new place Chunk!
I was stopped by the police the other day.
They wanted to question me for not staying at home. I told them I’m part of the team that look after them so I’ve been given a pass so I can go any time. Felt naughty being pulled! I think I’ve owned my title “The crazy swan lady”! The other thing covid-19 has meant is that we haven’t been able to get him ringed. There’s quite a few other cygnets that haven’t been ringed down there, so when the ringers get round to doing it at Spike Island I'll get his number and be able to track him no matter where he goes. I honestly feel like his nan!”
One crazy swan lady.
