Littering worries for swans

SOME of Perth’s most popular residents are being forced to live amid filth thanks to the thoughtless actions of litter-bugs.

Discarded rubbish bags and bottles surround the nesting spots of the South Inch swans, who are in the midst of their breeding season.

In recent years, t he park’s f ormer boating pond has been converted into a biodiversity area where the birds have successfully raised young.

Efforts have also been made to introduce planting that will attract waterfowl to the area — something that has again been successful. Amid all the i nv e s t m e n t , h ow ev e r, some city residents have used the park as a dumping ground for refuse.

Now regular users of the South Inch have called for an urgent clean-up.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman said: “We are aware of the issue regarding litter on the verges at the South Inch in Perth. We are not able to undertake any clearance work while the swans are on their nest as it would cause serious disturbance to the birds.

“As the swans and their nests are protected, they must not be disturbed under any circumstances.

“After the nesting season, we’ll find the best way to resolve the matter.”

One city resident, who regularly visits the South Inch, said: “It’s such a shame to see the swans having to live like this.

“They are nesting surrounded by rubbish, from black bin liners and crisp packets to bottles and dog poo bags. It i s really unpleasant.

“I’d like the people who dump this rubbish here to think again about what they are doing.”