The swan whisperer: Retiree, 71, develops special bond with his feathered friends on feeding trips to local beach
- Roger Lampert feeds mute swans five times a week and developed special bond
- He visits Christchurch Quay on River Stour in Dorset where he feeds the birds
- The 71-year-old said the birds each flock around him vying for his affection
Under lockdown, feeding the swans once a week fitted the bill for a spot of fresh air.
But for ‘swan whisperer’ Roger Lampert, this pastime has turned into a regular ritual which sees the birds flock around him vying for his affection.
Mr Lampert, 71, from Christchurch, Dorset, visits Christchurch Quay on the River Stour five times a week to feed mute swans which have grown so accustomed to him that they relish being stroked and fed.
Roger Lampert, 71, (pictured) from Christchurch, Dorset, visits Christchurch Quay on the River Stour five times a week to feed mute swans
They have grown so accustomed to him and have developed a special bond – that they now relish being stroked and fed. Pictured: Mr Lampert
He said: ‘It went from feeding them from the water to sitting on one of the seats and they started to come around me, four or five swans.
‘And it’s gradually increased because I started going down more regularly, so I’ve had more and more swans around me. It’s a lovely, lovely experience to have.
‘I get a lot of enjoyment out of it because they now know me. A few of the swans will let me stroke them which is rather nice.
‘They really like that and push towards me so I can carry on stroking them.’
He said: ‘I get a lot of enjoyment out of it because they now know me. A few of the swans will let me stroke them which is rather nice’. Pictured: Mr Lampert
Mr Lampert retired in 2014 after 40 years at Wandsworth Council in south-west London.
As well as looking after 14-year-old cats Ella and Mimi, he assists rescue group Wildlife In Need, which sends injured wild birds to the vets.
He added: ‘I’ve re-released a couple of swans, ducks and pigeons they’ve rescued, which has been rather nice.’
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