Youngsters go swanning around lake

That’s the scenario gradually unfolding in the Bathurst landmark that is Lake Spencer in Machattie Park.

Better known to locals as the “duck pond”, Lake Spencer is currently home to two magnificent black swans and a pair of their latest offspring.

The Western Advocate has been following the progress of the cygnets since they hatched and is glad to report they are now starting to look a lot like swans.

It’s a far cry from their early days when they were nothing more than tiny grey balls of fluffy feathers.

Robert Wootton from Bathurst Regional Council and his dedicated team of parks staff are very familiar with the day-to-day activities of the swans which have become something of a headline act. He said the young swans are coming of age.

“But I don’t know how long they will hang around. I have no idea. It’s not my area of speciality. I know all about weeds and seeds, not feathers and fur,” he said.

Mr Wootton said the cygnets had certainly gone through a transformation.

“The staff here have taken an interest in watching them grow up,” he said.

“They’ve even found out what type of food is best for them to ensure they get more than just the bread thrown in by the public.

“We’ve found they like lettuce, cabbage or spinach when it’s thrown into the water. If you do that they will pretty much talk to you.”

Mr Wootton said when he first started working in the park, noting that it was a very long time ago, they used to clip the swans’ wings to stop them flying out.

“But we don’t do that anymore and none of these swans look like they are going anywhere just yet,” he said. “I suppose if you were on a good wicket, you’d stick to it as well.”

Bathurst Regional Council’s parks operation manager Mark Kimbel said the black swans are wild and staff have no control over their habits.

“It’s up to them to come and go as they please, but we have found that when they are in a confined space like Lake Spencer, the parents may push their offspring away when the next breeding seasons comes around. That’s the way the life cycle works,” he said.