‘Revelatory’ says Alan Titchmarsh as wildlife writer and photographer Dan Keel speaks up for the iconic mute swan

THATCHAM wildlife writer and photographer Dan Keel will be talking swans on Tuesday (October 15, 7.30pm) as part of Thatcham Festival.

The author’s celebration of Britain’s most iconic breed, the mute swan – Swan: Portrait of a Majestic Bird, from Mythical Meanings to the Modern Day – was published in 2022 and draws much of its content from Dan’s experiences in Thatcham.

Alan Titchmarsh described the book as “Fascinating, revelatory and delightfully penned…totally compelling”.

The swan is both a lover and a fighter. A graceful angel and a clumsy oaf. Immortalised by artists over the ages yet misunderstood and threatened in the present day. The mute swan – with its orange beak and aura of stately silence – is the breed we know best in Britain.

Dan has been captivated by these birds since boyhood, studying their contrasting qualities over more than three decades. He’s spent countless hours documenting their power, beauty and vulnerability as a writer of nature journalism, as a wildlife photographer looking for the perfect shot, and as a qualified pilot sharing the skies.

Swan is a labour of love in which Dan speaks up for the mute, answering the essential questions about its nature and its future.

Along the way, weaving his first-hand observations into the narrative, he shows us how swans have been portrayed in myth, art and culture for millennia, and how they have Festival of Arts been venerated and imitated as well as harmed by humans. Does anybody still eat swan? Can a swan really break your arm? Does the Queen own them all?

On the latter, having reported for many years on Swan Upping on the Thames, @newburytoday can proudly boast knowing the correct answer to that myth.

With an eye for the humour as well as the tragedy of the swan’s story, Dan lays out the facts, guides us to our lakes and riverbanks, and urges us to see these familiar creatures in a fresh light.

A lifelong birdwatcher who has written for The Guardian, the Daily Mail and Birdwatching Magazine, among other publications, Dan has more recently worked at the Home Office and the Commonwealth as head of media, working on environmental issues.

Dan runs www.ilikebird.uk and organises bird-related ‘walk and talks’.

Swan Portrait of a Majestic Bird, from Mythical Meanings to the Modern Day is published in paperback, priced £9.99 ISBN: 978 1 80007 336 4

We asked Dan if he had any tips for anyone wanting to get into birdspotting.

“We are truly blessed in this part of Berkshire to have a myriad of lakes, rivers , canals, footpaths and a variety of tree and plant life to attract a wide range of birds,” he said.

“The landscape is relatively flat, making walking and exploring easy.

“At a time of increased cost of living, it’s important to remember that the hobby of birdwatching is completely free. Yes, a pair of binoculars certainly helps, but in and around Thatcham lakes and the Kennet and Avon Canal it’s easy to get up close to the birds.

“We’re lucky enough to have so many species in this area - owls, woodpeckers, egrets, waders, finches, ducks, geese and - yes - nesting mute swans.

“A good walk in the countryside, exploring nature and observing wildlife is a fantastic way to exercise the body, soothe the mind and warm the soul.

“Remember to keep your eyes peeled for birds flying overhead during the coming winter migratory weeks as well as checking the edges of lakes for wader birds, the trunks of trees for woodpeckers and the canals and rivers for kingfishers skimming the surface of the water.”

To book tickets go to https://ticketpass.org/event/EKZCYL/the-swan-

https://thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk/event/festival

Visit https://tktp.as/EKZCYL for more about the talk