Swans Rampage Around Killingworth

An invasion of swans in Killingworth Lake has recently triggered concerns amongst local residents.The number of swans on Killingworth Lake over the last few years has risen to around 200. This massive increase in the Swan population is caused by them being overfed by bird lovers who feed them heaps of bread every morning and night. Everyday!

A swan from Killingworth lake in a residential area.

In 2012, this issue of the public over feeding the wildlife created environmental problems. As the large grass areas have been damaged by the swans and people feeding them.

The Swans have absolutely no fear of people. They approach people walking along the lake path and people driving into the lake car park wishing to be fed.

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Pollution in the area was another matter due to a lot of droppings on the land and in water causing an awful smell in warm weather.

The Swans stopped breeding due to overpopulation and several Swans which had died were checked to discover they were morbidly obese.

Friends of Killingworth Lake, a local organisation that helps maintain the lake, are working alongside North Tyneside Council to try to reduce the Swan population by placing signs discouraging over feeding. The water level has been lowered preventing swans accessing the car park.

"The result of this action is that many Swans have left. The number at the moment is down to 50-60, which is still too many for an expanse of water this size," Diane Nelson, Secretary of Friends of Killingworth Lake.

Killingworth Local met up with one of its members Janet Jones for an interview:

Several swans have been spotted near George Stephenson High School, which is quite a venture from the lake. Many residents around the school and students are concerned about the swans' safety and well-being as there are busy roads near this area.

On one occasion, a Swan wandered into Killingworth Lakeside Leisure Centre which shocked many members of the public. Several people shared photos of the Swans on Facebook and Twitter causing a sensation and it spread awareness to the community about the Swans bizarre behaviour.

A photo posted on Facebook by Tom Stroud of a swan from Killingworth Lake leaving the Lakeside Sports Centre.

The Swans have been regularly seen to cross the main road separating the two lakes at the pedestrian crossing. This does disrupt the traffic but many locals are accustomed to this now and drive carefully on this section of Southgate Road.

Killingworth Lake Swans crossing Southgate road causing traffic to be held up

Friends of Killingworth Lake describe the reason for the Swans behaviour as down to the fact that: "The Swans are not fed every morning and night, they are having to find their own food, hence why they are wandering around residential areas."

Unfortunately,a similar problem has occurred with the Canadian Geese. The Geese used to arrive at the Lake during their migration period but due to regular food available, all year round they have started to live there causing worry about the number of Geese"

A Facebook upload by Kevin McClorry showing the vast population of geese.

A spokeswomen for North Tyneside Council told Killingworth Local: "We are implementing a number of schemes to deter overfeeding and to repair the damage caused by the increasing numbers of birds"

In the meantime North Tyneside Council urges members of the public to stop feeding birds as it causes them to be unhealthily overweight and distressed.