SSPCA inspectors are currently trying to help five swans who have made their home in Elgin’s Cooper Park.
Most of the water was drained from the park pond on Thursday as part of ongoing redevelopment work.
One of the juvenile cygnet swans in the mud.SSPCA inspectors trying to catch the swans.
However, the adult pair of swans and three cygnets who nest there, have potentially been left unable to take off.
Because swans are among the heaviest flying birds (some weighing over 15kg), they can’t simply flap their wings once and leap into the sky.
Instead, they need a long and smooth ‘runway’ to reach the 25-30 mph speeds required for their heavy bodies to generate enough lift.
Taking off on water allows them to use their powerful webbed feet for traction while avoiding the physical clumsiness and obstacles they face on land.
The SSPCA are at the scene.
Once captured the SSPCA intends to take the swans to Spynie Loch and set them free again.
The Cooper Park pond is being emptied to allow engineers to clean the drainage pipes that run under the A941 to the River Lossie, and prepare for future upgrades.
These include new coping stones around the pond’s perimeter, plus a wooden walkway that will stretch out towards the centre of the water.
The pond is nearly completely drained of water.
Moray Council is also hoping to turn the old toilet block into a new café and have it opened by the end of summer.
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