Remains of a swan found by the River Cam just downstream from Bottisham Lock. Two mysteries. First, what species is it? Probably a Mute, but as the head was missing it I wasn’t able to tell. It had not been ringed. Second, what killed it? There are no overhead power lines nearby, so not that. Most of the flesh had been eaten away and there were feathers scattered over a wide area. My guess is a resting or sick mute swan caught unawares by a fox.
Photo: Swan remains, near Bottisham Lock, January 2017