Dramatic scenes in Bushy Park as swan faces off with deer herd

It was swan versus deer in Bushy Park yesterday (3 June).

Just after dawn, a male swan reared up at a herd of deer which were getting rather too close to his brood of four fluffy cygnets.

The dramatic scenes were captured in stunning detail by local photographer Sue Lindenberg (see our gallery above).

Sue told Nub News the story behind her photos.

She said: "Very early this morning the were several Red Deer stag in the Heron Pond seemingly cooling off after what had been a very hot night.

"Quite suddenly, in what turned out to be quite a spectacle, a herd of Red Deer comprising Stag, Hinds and calves appeared.

"There were so many deer it was a while before they had all crossed.

"The swan family were on the far side right in their path.

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"However, the Cob [male swan] reared up spreading out his wings as if to protect the Pen [female swan] and four cygnets, this seemed to successfully ward the deer off and order was restored!

"I have never seen so many deer in the pond!"

[i] We're glad the cygnets were kept safe from harm thanks to the brave actions of their father. But with the heat showing no sign of letting up, we wonder if tensions between the two animals will continue to rise...[.b]