Hum the tune ‘Ride of the Valkyries’, as you gaze at this image of Sigrún the Swan. She is racing towards us because Teddy dared to frighten an egret with his deadly camera. Her wings are thumping on the water like the noise of 20 Vikings smashing their oars. Sigrún is a relatively new addition to the many critters on our local pond, arriving about 2 years ago. I have been so curious about her (or him). One of the local birdwatchers told us that she was likely bought privately and escaped, or was released, to the large reservoir a couple of miles west.
Every year we welcome flocks of white pelicans who are stopping briefly on route to the north for the summer. These are arboreal pelicans who live on lakes in forests. The birdwatcher told us that Sigrún had terrorized the pelicans so much that they disappeared from our area. I don’t know if she mistook them for other swans or was just being territorial. She regards all the other critters on our pond as her flock (herons, egrets, ducks, geese, nutria, turtles, bluebirds, blackbirds, coots) and doesn’t take kindly to humans intruding…
As she approached, her wings remained up and her neck curled back to fully threaten us. I must admit that I was anxious and stood back from the water’s edge. A swan can easily break a person’s arm. Eventually she calmed down and her wings lowered. We were duly chastised and sloped off trying not to frighten anything else. It was a while before I went around the pond again but I kept thinking of Sigrún. What kind of person buys a wild animal that can’t be domesticated? Mute swans are not indigenous to our area and can be a pest with their territorial natures. I have seen Sigrún sleeping with the other water birds so she is happy with the original inhabitants (apart from humans).
Is she lonely? I haven’t seen another swan in our area. The containment pond isn’t a perfect habitation as it is really a flood defense. The water naturally rises and lowers throughout the year. I pride myself on my rapport with wild and domesticated animals but pride comes before a fall. On my last few visits to the ponds, I talked quietly to Sigrún and gently got closer to her. It seemed as though I was making progress; she was tolerating my presence. Most recently I encountered her on the path that leads around the pond. Talking all the time, I got within about 2 feet of her and she was showing no signs of aggression. Then I got too close, she raised herself to her full height and walloped me with her wing!
Immediately I backed away Рshe could have hit me harder but it was scary. I was shaking as I walked away from her. Halfway around the pond I realized I would have to turn around and walk past her again for my own confidence. This time she retreated into the water but her neck was still very tense. Usually I am respectful of wildlife; I was so annoyed at myself for frightening Sigr̼n and myself. I anthropomorphized about Sigr̼n and thought that my friendship would be welcome. Dejected, I went home with my head bowed and my tail between my legs. (My tail is striped, in case you are interested) Later I sought solace with my much friendlier garden critters.
Until I started researching mute swans, I had no idea that they played a key part in Valkyrie mythology. Valkyries were mythical creatures who led the chosen slain Norse Warriors to Valhalla (Heaven). I thought the swan looked like a Sigrún but for all I know it might be a Thor. Maybe it has a more prosaic name such as ‘Swan in Charge’ or ‘Fluffy’? All my squirrels are named too. At the moment we have a group named the McHughs, which was my mother’s maiden name. These squirrels all have funny wee turned-up noses – just like my family and me. This year we have a wonky sparrow living in the garden but that’s a tale for another time…
Please don’t republish Teddy’s photographs.
Postcards from Kerry 