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The Black Swans

Dawlish is famous for being the home of the Black Swans.  There are records of Black Swans being on The Brook in the early Twentieth Century but between the two World Wars, they died out.  In the late 1940s, Captain GRS Pitman, a game warden in Uganda, presented a pair of Black Swans to the Town of Dawlish in memory of his parents.  His father, Charles Pitman, had been a County Councillor.  Black Swans have lived on The Brook ever since and have been the emblem of the town for more than 50 years.

In addition to the Black Swans at our Waterfowl Compound on Brunswick Terrace there is an aviary where you can see the ornamental waterfowl. The waterfowl include: African Geese, Bahama Pintail, Bantam, Call Ducks, Carolina Ducks, Chinese Goose, Mandarin Ducks, Red Crested Pochard, Shelduck and Whistling Ducks.

The Town Council’s waterfowl wardens look after the waterfowl and are assisted by volunteers at weekends.

Black swan
Black Swan 2
Three cygnets
Black Swan 3
Black swan and cygnets
Black Swan 4

Why not sponsor our waterfowl?

Looking for a unique and unusual present? Or would you like to contribute to their care?

Adopt one of the waterfowl on The Brook and your sponsorship will make a very real contribution to the care and wellbeing of all the waterfowl.

Prices start from just £20 a year:

  • Duck – £20.00
  • Goose – £25.00
  • Black Swan / Cygnet – £30.00

All sponsorships include a certificate together with a picture of your duck, goose or swan and a gift card. Waterfowl sponsors also have their name displayed at the Waterfowl Compound in recognition of their contribution.

Please contact us for further information on the sponsorship scheme or for how to become a waterfowl volunteer.

Photos: Courtesy of Paul Hillcox.

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