A black swan was photographed swimming on the water alongside a group of white swans, with its dark plumage and bright red bill making it immediately stand out.
The eye-catching bird was spotted by a man named Frank, who managed to take pictures of the encounter at the Greater Manchester park.
Frank said: “Apparently sightings are rare and it was a beautiful bird. The swan certainly cheered up a dull, grey day.
“I hope it makes people smile.”
Black swans are not native to Britain, instead originating from Australia.
The swan in Sale Waterpark (Image: Frank)
According to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the species is considered “scarce” in Britain and is occasionally encountered in the wild, usually as individual birds although small groups can also be seen.
The birds were originally introduced to Britain from Australia as an ornamental species, with some subsequently escaping from captivity.
There are only an estimated 100 to 150 individual black swans living wild in the UK.
Despite their exotic origins, black swans do breed in the wild in Britain.
The BTO says breeding attempts are regularly recorded across the UK, while an established breeding population can be found in east Norfolk, centred on the Broads.
Black swans favour rivers and freshwater lakes, making Sale Water Park a suitable place for one to stop.
Their appearance also makes them difficult to confuse with Britain’s more familiar swans.
The species has predominantly black plumage, accompanied by a striking red bill and white flight feathers, which are generally most noticeable when the bird opens its wings or takes flight.
Frank’s photographs show the black swan calmly sharing the water with a number of white swans.
The sighting provided a splash of colour on an otherwise overcast autumn day in Trafford.