Overview

• Volunteer swan warden Cyril Bennis captured the bird on Tuesday and is holding it locally before transfer to the Dawlish Waterfowl Centre in Devon.
• The bird, nicknamed Reggie and “Mr Terminator,” began harassing Stratford’s mute swans by breaking up a pair, ousting a male and cygnet, and trying to drown other swans.
• Relocation was chosen to safeguard roughly 60 resident mute swans, which are protected and considered Crown property in open waters.
• Bennis, who has served as warden for 45 years, said the capture left him sore but reported the river has since calmed with the mute swans relaxing.
• Dawlish was selected due to its established black swan population, while Reggie’s popularity with visitors had complicated the timing of his removal.