I have a question about the design of floating nests for swans. There are a number of areas on the north shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto area, that have many Canada Geese as summer visitors. They are not nice visitors. Swans tend to keep geese away and are welcome.

We understand that by providing the swans with a nesting place, they will tend to stay around for the summer, and by being near, will deter geese from visiting.

The are of interest is the harbour at Whitby, Ontario. Google Earth can provide a good view. The area to the south and west of the harbour and west of the boat docking area is a nature zone with little or no human presence along the shore. Wildlife is present to some extent - rabbits, feral cats, a bank beaver and a fox from time to time.

My understanding is that a floating nest anchored a few feet off-shore for protection from predators will provide an attractive nesting site.

Do you have design suggestions - width, length, freeboard above water and materials of construction? Anchoring locations with spacing from shore and floating nest to floating nest would be welcome as well.
« Hide