The Dawlish Swans

Drawing by William Tame

The black swans have been a feature of Dawlish, South Devon, for over 100 years, but the Environment Agency has suddenly decided that they are polluting the stream that runs through the centre of Dawlish and into the sea. Unless the council can stop them doing this then the swans have to go! Bearing in mind that this stream runs down off the moors where sheep cattle and deer graze and do their business how can we be sure the swans are guilty? There are also large numbers of Ducks and Seagulls in this stream. It would be a shame if these birds, which are on all Dawlish Tourist publicity were to be removed, since this pretty stream with the birds is one of the main reasons to visit Dawlish. The council are now having to consider building them a toilet (well a septic tank actually) so the effluent doesn't flow back into the stream. I'd like to know how they propose to toilet train the Swans, Ducks and Seagulls.