Soda Cafe’s very own swan lake
Soda Cafe in Southbrook has its very own royal family, of the swan variety.
Owner Lynda Cox said the swans, which live on the lake out the back of the cafe, are frequent visitors to the cafe and she has likened them to the royals.
‘‘They are like our version of the royal family, they can be a nuisance but we love them and they bring in the tourists.’’
Cox posted a video to Facebook of the swans blocking her entrance to the cafe two weeks ago and said it was a hit. She has had customers turning up asking to see the swans.
‘‘They really are quite comical, although they can be quite messy.’’
Cox said they don’t feed the swans, or encourage customers to either.
‘‘We wouldn’t like to get it wrong and feed them anything they shouldn’t eat.
‘‘I think that’s why they are comfortable around us, we just leave them alone. They’ll come right up to the windows and have a look.’’
Cox said she’s not certain but she thinks the current swan family is a one different from last year.
She said they are extremely good parents, never letting their babies out of sight and and aggressively protective of them if anything gets too close.
‘‘They certainly rule the lake, no one messes with the swans.’’
Cox said it was surprising to her to see the babies at this time of year, however she said they don’t seem to be affected by the cold.
The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Birds said nesting may commence in July with the female laying on average five to six eggs. The eggs are incubated for 36 days, mostly by the female.
The young swans fledge after about 120 days, but families may remain together for several months. It said occasionally, and where lake food is plentiful, a pair may nest again in late summer and raise a second brood.
Cox said whilst the swans are predominantly on the lake they do travel up and down the creek on Flaxton road and have been seen down Fernside Road.
She said the lake out the back of Soda Cafe on Flaxton Road is a hidden gem in Rangiora.
‘‘It’s hard to see the lake from the road, but it’s something quite special. I really love arriving to work and looking out across the lake, seeing all the bird life.’’