Castle concern over missing swans (From Free Press Series)

Castle concern over missing swans

SEVEN signets have gone missing from the country park at Caldicot Castle and wardens fearing they may have been stolen are concerned for their well-being.

The young swans were one week old when they disappeared between Wednesday and Thursday last week. And despite extensive searches in the area, there has been no recent sighting.

Phillip Marshall, warden at the country park at Caldicot Castle, said: "Something felt odd because last year when the mother swan had six signets, she didn't take them off the pond for three to four weeks. This year she took them off after two days.

"If a predator had taken them, the cob would have put up such a fight he would have sustained injuries. But both adults were unhurt.

"The problem with birds like swans is that some people want to take adults and put them on golf courses and private ponds.

"By taking young signets - it is a bit like game keeping, when phesants are reared as chicks and are hand fed they tend to stay in the area they are getting the food and won't fly off.

"Swans are a protected species and there would be a hefty fine for anyone caught stealing them. I am concerned that if any does have them they might hurt them, or the stress of being separated from their parents might kill the signets."

Chief warden at Caldicot country park, David Manning, said: "We don't know whether they have gone further up the river. They were seen going towards the direction of the river.

"Two swans came back, but we cannot be sure if it is a different set of swans and the signets haven't been seen since. It appears they might have been stolen, we're not sure what has happened to them."

Anyone with any information that could help inquiries, should call the Caldicot Country Park 01291 425641.