Mute Swan head shaking, beak clicking and neck stretching.

Don't really know Judy, could it be a protective thing, maybe if people are near to the young.

The way I have seen them expressing aggression (usually towards people or animals approaching their cygnets) is by hissing. Fluffing up their wings and feathers (to look bigger) and raising / stretching necks is also usual.

If you have seen him doing the same thing year after year - and he only does it near the shore - I would assume this is part of his body language - I'd be interested to know what it means.

I have observed similar behaviour with two swans in our local patch over the years - both had swallowed angler's lines and they were trying to get them removed. But that can't be the case with the swan you mention if it's repeated behaviour. So I am bumping the post to get someone to respond.

The swan in question has now been caught and xrayed. He did have a fishing hook deeply embedded in his throat which had probably been there for some time. It has now been surgically removed as there was no other way to remove it. We will see how much difference this makes to the headshaking when he returns to his family.

Thanks heavens you saw it and took action, well done to you.

Well done Judy! Who did you alert to get the swan ex-rayed and operated on?

It was Yorkshire Swan and Wildlife Rescue who I contacted about the swan and he is doing well at their sanctuary near Selby. Should be coming home tomorrow to his slightly stressed mate and youngsters.

Can't praise this organisation enough for their dedication.They are a Charity which I would encourage everybody to support.

Great to read about your caring & timely action in helping to save this Swan Judy & looking forward to more good news updates!

well done spotting something wrong with the swan and gaining assistance for it Judy,  hopefully it will be fine once the surgical incision has healed.   A lesson and reminder to anglers to take discarded fishing line/hooks/lead weights, etc,  home with them.   I have participated in fishing in the past and it's not hard to pack up left over line or hooks into the tackle box to dispose of sensibly.  Whilst on the subject, for folk that have smaller ponds it's better to have the hard mesh covers than netting over them which can also entangle birds on rare occasion.  All it takes sometimes is a bit of forethought to keep wildlife safer.    

Thanks for that Judy. Let us know how the reunion with family goes.

Hazel I have raised the issue with the lines/lead weights/hooks with our local patch wardens. Apparently the big problem is broken lines with hooks that get entangled with the weeds at the bottom of the lake. Any ideas how to address this if it happens - I can pass them on!