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Mystery Photo. |
Swans; should we be afraid ?
This blog is dedicated to the memory of Joe Roberts. Whether swans are dangerous or otherwise, there can be no doubt that swans are very 'nice' birds indeed! Please feel encouraged to send any 'swan based' content and links you would like added to this blog. No swans were harmed in the making of this blog nor are any kept on the blog over night!

Saturday, September 27, 2025
Those Tudors loved a Swan
Monday, September 8, 2025
Bill by Mouth
" The NBbD Team were delighted to receive this interesting swan themed photograph from Lulu, one of our regulars, in Didcot.
When one considers the skill that went into creating these wonderful and lifelike sculptures 'blown by mouth, you cannot be other than impressed'. The length of training required, to ensure that the artist does not suck instead of blow, is an industry secret.
After considerable discussion amongst the team, we came to the collective view that 'blowing' so many swans takes dedication, skill and raw courage in the greater Didcot area" - Editor of NBbD.
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Old School kit, once commonly found in the trouser pockets of prudent ramblers." Be prepared"
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Old School multi- function pen-knife |
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Contemporary 'shocking' image gleaned from the internet, showing a swan callously inserting its beak into a male forehead, all whilst the innocent couple were distracted by love. |
Monday, July 14, 2025
Cumulus Cygnus
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Eagle-eyed Jazz from Cambridgeshire's Swan Cloud photo |
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Enlargement from the original photo showing a rare example of the Cumulus Cygnus cloud formation. |
The editorial team at NBBD were astonished to receive this unusual photograph a 'swan cloud'. Literally, Cumulus Cygnus are as rare as 'hens teeth' so well done Jazz for catching this impressive image.
Cumulus Cygnus clouds were first observed and identified by the Irish hydrographer Captain Francis Beaufort in 1805. Bystanders at the time were heard to exclaim " My Lord, Beaufort as 'rate' got the wind up"!
Sadly, Joe Roberts never got to see this swan related atmospheric event, but it is rumoured in Maidstone, that he did once experience an out of body moment of anxiety when he saw the outline of a swan in the froth on his Light Ale.
Monday, June 23, 2025
Going Dutch
The Editorial Team at NBBD should like to thank two intrepid women and famed chicken keepers from Cambridgeshire, Nina and Jasminda Cluck, for sending in these two 'trublin' images captured recently in Holland. They very nicely illustrate the duality of swan behaviours.
"On the one hand (left), we have the self effacing nee hidden personna and on the other (right), we have the 'in your face' nee violent personna. For this reason alone it is always sensible to keep one's distance from swans". - Chris Packham (No not that one)
"It is an unwary individual who turns his or her back on a swan. Very few have survived such lakeland improvidence"! - Wordsworth.(No not that one either)
As 'Low Countries' friend of NBBD, Kurt Westermann, is wont to say ,that is when he bothers to turn up:
" Swans, nice birds and lethal also! "
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Feathers Day
Hi all you international swan observers around the world! This year the NBBD Team have decided to celebrate, for the first time, 'Feathers Day' held each year on the 15th of June. Now, some 'gain-sayers' have said that 'Feathers Day' is a cynical commercial event created and exploited by purveyors of greetings cards, Facebook, vloggers and bloggers. We however, have 'come out' in favour of this day and if he were alive today, we reckon Joe Roberts would have approved too.
We understand that traditional ways of celebrating 'Feathers Day' include:
- Visiting a Wickes DIY store and buying a can of Three-in-One lubricating oil, for those impromptu just in case scenarios.
- Placing a 'five cross win doubles with tax' bet at Joe Coral .(Having the accumulator is optional.)
- Drinking a small can of Courage light ale, all in one swallow, whilst demonstrating the language and behaviors of one of the usual 'ists' other than pacifist. (See for guidance Daily Mail.)
- Going 'up the Bowls'.
- Investigating facilities for wheelchair users at horse-racing courses located in England (excluding Northern Ireland.)
- Encouraging a complete stranger to ''old the bells'.