When we are lucky, we are visited by swans twice a year as they migrate to the Arctic in the spring and return south in the fall. By the time they arrive here, they have flown far and need to stop in the shallows of the Lake to refuel on aquatic plants.
Two different species will stop by to rest and feed: the smaller Tundra Swan and the larger Trumpeter Swan. I believe that today’s visitors were trumpeters.
Something I have seen frequently when swans visit is their harassment by dogs. It is as if some dog owners view sicking their charges on weary swans to be good exercise for the dogs and good fun for all.
Three adults and a juvenile stopped by to rest and feed before continuing their journey.
This is one of three dogs that beach strollers loosed on the panicky swans. What amazingly good fun.
Thank you. I appreciate the photos and the commentary.
Indeed it is a practice that ought to be reconsidered by dog owners, even in regards the geese in the parks.
More importantly however in regards migratory Swans.
Thank you
No such thing as a bad dog, just a bad owner. I also see this regularly with other species and it makes my blood boil. At Kokanee Creek dogs are not even allowed on the beach at all and most of them are unleashed. Saying something to the owners is almost always futile. No matter how courteously I start off, most dog owners are rude and dismissive.
Also along the dog walk in Nelson, owners seem to think that encouraging their animals to harass waterfowl is all part of the experience for their precious poochies.
Education won’t work here, we need enforcement of existing laws.
This harassment reminds me of snowmobilers who chase coyotes in winter. The coyote expends his last ounce of energy and dies.
Alistair would you share these photos with you local Audubon, or City Council?
I appreciate you,
Tina
Tina, it is likely that a quasi-equivalent organization here would be Bird Studies Canada. But, those pictures were taken well outside city limits and even beyond provincial parks. Kootenay Lake has a rather long shoreline, very little of which is regulated for such matters. Further, as Max points out, even in parkland where there are ordinances, dog owners often show indignation that these supposed family members should be subject to them. I have posted about the problem before with Off leash and An idiot, events which took place in a park. But, this occasion was outside such an area.
Under the BC Wildlife Act (which applies to most non passerine birds including waterfowl and birds of prey) it is illegal to harass wildlife anywhere in the province at any time unless it is a part of licensed hunting or trapping.
Their definition is:
“harass” includes worry, exhaust, fatigue, annoy, plague, pester, tease or torment
I agree, “BAD DOG-BAD OWNER”! We need more responsible humans out there, dogs may start with our wild life but when does it end? with a child? with a person? Allowing your dog to chase anything other than a ball or toy is “BULLYING” … which is not allowed in our society.