ONE of Dawlish’s most famous Black Swans has been nicknamed Bert The Bully due to his dominant behaviour.

But the town’s waterfowl wardens say they are keeping a close eye on him as the next clutch of eggs have been laid near the Brook. 

There have been concerns about dad Bert and his behaviour towards his previous brood of cygnets which are now six months old. 

Bert has been ‘exerting’ his dominance and there have been questions whether the cygnets will be moved off the Brook. 

The waterfowl warden, who is employed by the town council, says they are aware of his behaviour and are monitoring the situation. 

They said: ‘At this time there is no intentions to move any of the birds. 

‘The wardens are currently feeding the cygnets down at the bottom weir and whilst it appears Bert is determined to keep them down this end of the brook, the wardens are satisfied the cygnets are content here and are not being distressed by Bert. 

'At present it seems that Bert is not being as aggressive as he has been with previous cygnets and other waterfowl on the Brook and thankfully no waterfowl are being forced off the Brook into the road.

'The situation will continue to be monitored and any changes or updates to this information will be posted on this page, but at the moment there are no plans to move the cygnets.’

Bert and Kimba have now laid six eggs on the nest which, as previously reportedly the Gazette, has been built on a site in rushes beside the Brook.

The area has been cordoned off from the public to protect the nest.

The warden said: ‘We appreciate your support with keeping your distance and not distressing the swan and her eggs.’

Bert has been described as ‘bullying’ the cygnets.

On social media, he was also referred to as a ‘thug’. 

However, some have commented that it is natural behaviour as in the wild, the cygnets would be able to move to a new area on their own.