Page last updated 21th August 2024
A little of the history of the swans on the ponds (Martin Brown)
The original swans were Bonnie and Tyler.
Bonnie was hatched at Oliver Henderson Park to Oliver and Anastasia and was ringed at OHP on 13/08/2015 ZY8690. Tyler(ZY6368) and Red Darvic Ring A000 was ringed at Silksworth pond on 07/08/2012. They were recorded in various locations, Chester-Le-Street, QE2 Park and Herrington Park before Pelaw Quarry and Red Barns. They had one cygnet, Bobi while at PQP, but unfortunately it disappeared. They did have another cygnet called Tootsie (XY1563). Bonnie caught Bumblefoot and was treated at PAWS and then released back to PQP, but there was a battle with the already resident swans, and Bonnie and Tyler were taken to PAWS for checking and released on Herrington Park. They decided to leave Herrington Park and landed at the Lakeside Ponds on 13/04/2022 where they made their home. On Thursday 16/06/22 they had one cygnet hatched, which was christened Solo. Solo was ringed on Tuesday 18/10/22 BTO ring number XY5351. On November 10th 2022 there was no sign of Bonnie when I went to the ponds, but unfortunately she had taken flight and hit the overhead power lines. Tyler wandered between the Lakeside Ponds and Monkton Marsh where Kabdy was the resident Pen. Kandy had lost her mate in a dog attack in June 2022. Tyler eventually brought Kandy to the Lakeside Ponds, and Kandy settled down with Tyler and Solo. Solo eventually left the ponds in December 2022, and was spotted at PQP later in December. She was rescued to PAWS to be checked and released to Herrington Park on Christmas Eve 2022.Life carried on, on the Lakeside Ponds. On 19th May 2023 6 cygnets were hatched to Kandy and Tyler, and so began another episode on the ponds. Unfortunately one went missing, one went to Blyth Wildlife Rescue, but unfortunately died, the other one was also rescued later to Blyth due to injuries. This one we christened Lucky, which was eventually released to Killingworth Lake. We were now down to three cygnets all male which were named Tom, Dick and Harry. Life went on as normal on the ponds. As the new breeding season approaches, the adults will chase the cygnets form the ponds. So Tom, Dick and Harry were released to Herrington Park. So another chapter begins and on Tuesday 7th May 2024, 4 cygnets were hatched. They enjoyed the ponds and the occasional wander away from the ponds! On Sunday June 30th one of the cygnets was found to be injured and was taken to PAWS, unfortunately because of its injuries, it had to be PTS. Kandy, Tyler and the three cygnets are all doing very well. Hopefully we will be naming them soon. Their BTO ring numbers are: XY6706 Female, XY6707 Male and XY6708 Male.
In support of NaturePlan. Photos provided by members of the group, Hayley Cook, Billy Hayes, Di A Nne, Martin Brown and thanks to many others. More fantastic photos to come.
