I arrived on the reserve this morning to see the very sad sight of a dead swan on the large pond. Charlie past away overnight, so now we have a queen without a king. Camilla is a lonely sight circling the pond.
It’s a bit of a mystery what took Charlie as there are no external signs of a problem. I am hoping it is not avian flu. I have informed DEFRA and they may or may not come to collect Charlie to check (I suspect they will not if its just a single death).
So having bred so successfully this year with 8 cygnets we may have none this coming spring. Hopefully Camilla can find a new King quickly.
petesbogblog 
Such sad news about Charlie. Hopefully he didn’t suffer.
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Oh that is sad news! Hopefully Camilla stays healthy until spring. The pair of them and their brood brought a lot of joy to the people of Morpeth this year swimming up and down the river.
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Aw, so sad. So mamy people enjoyed his life.
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That’s so sad Pete. Charlie was clearly one of the fixtures around your special place. Chin up and love to you both from Devon.
Col and Les. X
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