Over the years, I've found dozens of swan carcases with the head missing, but never seen a kill. A few nights ago, I saw it for the first time, through the thermal spotter. Charlie disturbed the swan while doing his nightly patrol of the shoreline looking for wildfowlers' cripples. It battered off into the shallow water and was obviously sickly. Charlie returned about 10 minutes later, having realised the situation and crept out through the water to grab his breakfast. He dragged it ashore and was still here with it over an hour later. He seemed to be either too full to go home or was guarding his next meal.
NOTHING MORE NATUAL THAN THAT!
NOTHING MORE NATUAL THAN THAT!
