15 July 2011

We're not all bad. Canberrans stop for swans.

| Sgt.Bungers
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This morning on my route between my QBN and CBR City office, I noticed traffic at a stand still as I approached the Coranderrk St/Parkes Way roundabout.

The reason soon became apparent. Two adult swans were crossing from Commonwealth Park to the pond in the middle of the roundabout.

As I went to turn towards the city, the swans began completing the last half of their crossing, slowly waddling across the lanes of the roundabout.

I was surprised at just how patient everyone in motor vehicles were. Everyone gradually came to a stop, waited patiently for a good 60 seconds as the swans sloooowly made their way across. More patience was displayed here than at some of the Canberra Centre pedestrian crossings.

It’s good to know that there are some circumstances in Canberra where humans are prepared to add a minute or two to their motor vehicle journey to ensure the safe passage of another creature. 🙂

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JC said :

How dare swans cross there. The sign near that roundabout shows ducks crossing, not swans.

Presumably the gummint will be installing a camera there shortly to address these infringements.

Ahhh the swans are back! I saw them yesterday in the middle of that roundabout, making a nest out of the reeds, there will be some very cute signets there shortly I dare say! I think that particular pair go there each year??? Quiet safe once you get to the middle I suppose, away from foxes etc for there babies.

even the cops care 😉
ACTPol_Traffic ACTPol_Traffic
There is a large number of swans waddling across Wentworth Av near Telopea Park in Barton, motorists please take care.
ACTPol_Traffic ACTPol_Traffic
Wentworth Av is now clear of swans, thanks to passing motorists for assisting
13 Jul

How dare swans cross there. The sign near that roundabout shows ducks crossing, not swans.

troll-sniffer5:17 pm 16 Jul 11

breda said :

In England, all swans are owned by the Monarch. I wonder if the Queen has any dibs on ours?

Not true sorry to clip your wings on this but the Monarch owns all wild swans living in open water – of the species called ‘mute’ swans. Other species of swans, and those owned by individuals are not owned by Her Majesty.

Ducks (and a trail of little babies) regularly make a dash across Sullivans Creek Road at ANU. Everyone always stops and gives them space. Theres always that one duck thats a little slower than the others.

breda said :

Swans are much prettier than wombats, but not a whole lot more friendly unless you are in the act of feeding them. In England, all swans are owned by the Monarch. I wonder if the Queen has any dibs on ours?

Correction: In England, all “white” swans are owned by the monarch. (Sorry, I watch too much QI – this was one of the trick questions only last week!) So no risk of royal interference with our black swans.

Re the wombat crossing the road – it is wise to stop for wombats. A friend had her car written off after hitting a wombat crossing the highway near Mittagong. She came over a crest and – bam! – she said it was like hitting a wombat sized boulder.

Swans are much prettier than wombats, but not a whole lot more friendly unless you are in the act of feeding them. In England, all swans are owned by the Monarch. I wonder if the Queen has any dibs on ours?

Rawhide Kid Part3 said :

Don’t cha love Mother Nature. Even with all our technology and advancement as humans, Mother Nature still holds the cards.

I do love mother nature, but I wouldn’t call a big yet fragile bird launching himself into of peak-hour traffic “holding the cards”…

Rawhide Kid Part39:59 am 16 Jul 11

Don’t cha love Mother Nature. Even with all our technology and advancement as humans, Mother Nature still holds the cards.

WonderfulWorld said :

Wombat crossed the large roundabout near Red Rooster at Wanniassa this morning!

Luckily the car behind didn’t run up my arse and saw why I stopped suddenly, never seen one that close in!

Any nature lovers think of a reason it would be so far from home?

“It’s gotta be red” -Early morning chicken cravings? Poor service from the night before? Going home from the tavern?

Felix the Cat9:01 am 16 Jul 11

Maybee the Wombats breeding has been going out of control and they need culling…

[/toungeincheek]

Yeah I stopped for them on Thursday afternoon on their way back to LBG. Put my hazards on too, fair bit of traffic and the swans dont look both ways they just waddle on. Huge birds, close up, not great walkers so watch out, they would make a BIG mess of your car.
Anyone heard the stories of swans drowning dogs in the lake?

WonderfulWorld said :

Wombat crossed the large roundabout near Red Rooster at Wanniassa this morning!

Luckily the car behind didn’t run up my arse and saw why I stopped suddenly, never seen one that close in!

Any nature lovers think of a reason it would be so far from home?

It may be a similar stories to the possums? Last year’s brood gets kicked out of the family home around this time of the year and it can take them some time to find a place of their own. A ranger explained this to me once after I called him when I saw a possum clinging to a tree by the lake, looking exhausted, in the middle of the day.

I wish Canberrans would take more care around other birds too. The magpie chicks on Phillip Ave seem to get squashed every year for example. They are smaller than swans, but they’re not that hard to spot, I would’ve thought…

WonderfulWorld9:30 pm 15 Jul 11

Wombat crossed the large roundabout near Red Rooster at Wanniassa this morning!

Luckily the car behind didn’t run up my arse and saw why I stopped suddenly, never seen one that close in!

Any nature lovers think of a reason it would be so far from home?

I see it as a part of life living in this city. Most mornings I have to wait for ducks to cross on my way to work. Love that everyone does the same.

Swans are cute so I’ll wait for them. People not so much…

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