General News
7 May, 2024
Stewart heads off for a natter
STEWART is spreading his wings in search of a good chat with locals around town. Boort’s favourite swan has bobbed up at Boort District Hospital’s nursing home, used pedestrian crossings to cross the road for a conversation and gate-crashed...
STEWART is spreading his wings in search of a good chat with locals around town.
Boort’s favourite swan has bobbed up at Boort District Hospital’s nursing home, used pedestrian crossings to cross the road for a conversation and gate-crashed a 40th birthday party.
Stewart’s fan base has expanded well beyond visitors at Boort Lakes Holiday Park where owners Wendy and Tim James adopted the abandoned swan more than 12 months ago.
Wendy says some residents had been concerned Stewart may have sounded distressed in striking up conversation around town.
“That’s just how he talks, communicates. He’s as fit as a fiddle,” Wendy said.
“He’s only two and everyone wants to make sure he stays safe.
“Our advice to residents has been to shoo Stewart back to his home at the park.”
Wendy said other black swans around Little Lake Boort had tried to befriend Stewart.
“But he’s shunned their attempts so far. Our research has shown that a swan will not start mating until they are around three years old. We hope that eventually Stewart will find a partner and go to the other lake, Lake Boort,” she said.
While Stewart has learned to fly and fend for himself, Wendy said he still rocked up to their cabin looking for corn.
“And he’s learning the natural side of living. His life has a good balance.”