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| Lincolnshire man urges motorists to slow down around swans | |
| (21 days later) | |
| David Elston is known as "swan man" having cared for the birds for more than 40 years | David Elston is known as "swan man" having cared for the birds for more than 40 years |
| Motorists are being urged to drive carefully after more than 150 swans descended on a field that backs on to a country road. | Motorists are being urged to drive carefully after more than 150 swans descended on a field that backs on to a country road. |
| David Elston, from Boston in Lincolnshire, has cared for the birds for more than 40 years and is known as the "swan man" by locals. | David Elston, from Boston in Lincolnshire, has cared for the birds for more than 40 years and is known as the "swan man" by locals. |
| The 70 year old said he is "worried all the time" about their safety. | The 70 year old said he is "worried all the time" about their safety. |
| "Most vehicles slow down, but you get some idiots who don't," he said. | "Most vehicles slow down, but you get some idiots who don't," he said. |
| Mr Elston said he is worried about the swans' safety due to the large number near a road with passing traffic | Mr Elston said he is worried about the swans' safety due to the large number near a road with passing traffic |
| Mr Elston said the swans, which have descended on Harkerley Road, between Carrington and Frithville, are often "misunderstood". | Mr Elston said the swans, which have descended on Harkerley Road, between Carrington and Frithville, are often "misunderstood". |
| "They have more right to be on this road than we have," he said. | "They have more right to be on this road than we have," he said. |
| The swans are a big part of his life and the time he dedicates to caring for them is as good as a full-time job. | The swans are a big part of his life and the time he dedicates to caring for them is as good as a full-time job. |
| "I see them lay eggs, I see them hatch and I see them die," he said. "I am the swan man." | "I see them lay eggs, I see them hatch and I see them die," he said. "I am the swan man." |
| He also met his late wife after she saw him on the news talking about swans. | He also met his late wife after she saw him on the news talking about swans. |
| "That brought her to me. I found love through the swans," he added. | "That brought her to me. I found love through the swans," he added. |
| Mr Elston keeps a daily log of the birds' visits and a record of the injured ones he has nursed back to health. | Mr Elston keeps a daily log of the birds' visits and a record of the injured ones he has nursed back to health. |
| He has even known one, which he has named Shannon, for 11 years. | He has even known one, which he has named Shannon, for 11 years. |
| He added: "She's a good mother. She's only got one wing but she still takes herself up to the nest and lays her eggs. She's my favourite. | He added: "She's a good mother. She's only got one wing but she still takes herself up to the nest and lays her eggs. She's my favourite. |
| "Last year, I saw a swan lay two eggs, I was there and it felt great." | "Last year, I saw a swan lay two eggs, I was there and it felt great." |
| Mr Elston has named some birds, Shannon, Battleship and Whiskey | Mr Elston has named some birds, Shannon, Battleship and Whiskey |
| The current influx is higher than usual, but that could be down to the location as well as the welcome they receive each time. | The current influx is higher than usual, but that could be down to the location as well as the welcome they receive each time. |
| The area is ideal for mute swans, one of the most common breeds in the UK, to congregate in large groups. | The area is ideal for mute swans, one of the most common breeds in the UK, to congregate in large groups. |
| Matthew Capper, from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said: "The winter flocks often have younger swans with them and can provide protection against predators. | Matthew Capper, from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said: "The winter flocks often have younger swans with them and can provide protection against predators. |
| "The younger birds are footloose and fancy free, they'll be wandering around. It's also a good place to do a good bit of dating." | "The younger birds are footloose and fancy free, they'll be wandering around. It's also a good place to do a good bit of dating." |
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