Dawlish Black Swans

The camera looks out over the brook that runs through the centre of Dawlish, where black swans are usually visible on the water. Around them are the town gardens, footpaths and flower beds, with the seafront and the coastal railway line close by. The dark plumage and red bills of the swans against the green setting make the spot easy to recognise.

Mornings tend to be quiet on the brook, and the swans are often seen feeding or drifting near the banks. In spring and early summer there may be cygnets, which draw attention from passers-by. Bright, calm days give the clearest view of the water and the gardens, while windy or wet weather changes the surface and the birds' behaviour.

Dawlish is a seaside town on the south coast of Devon, in south-west England. The brook flows through the town centre to the sea, and the gardens along it are a local gathering place. Visitors walk the seafront, follow the South West Coast Path and watch trains running along the sea wall. The black swans, originally from Australia, have become a familiar part of the town.