Swans versus Avocet

[whole diary]

[johnneyw]

The swans are real but the Avocet^▸ (Branch line from Exeter to Exmouth) is the Avocet Line between Exeter and Exmouth......and it looked like the swans had won for a while.  A number of them had wandered onto the track at Topsham this morning causing some disruption.
It looks like things have now returned to normal.
Here's the link to Devon Live who scooped the drama!

Devon trains were stopped after swans wandered onto tracks - Devon Live https://share.google/ac4xEGFuo5YyzhSmM

[Oxonhutch]

I seem to recall that a swan is the size of trespasser where the delay problem (and repay responsibility) moves from the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) over to Network Rail, although I am not sure how line-side fences are supposed to keep a swan out of the railway reservation. Is it true that swans can only take off from water?

[stuving]

I seem to recall that a swan is the size of trespasser where the delay problem (and repay responsibility) moves from the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) over to Network Rail, although I am not sure how line-side fences are supposed to keep a swan out of the railway reservation. Is it true that swans can only take off from water?

While no doubt size matters, it's not the specific criterion. Delays are to be attributed to NR^» (Network Rail - home page) if the animal (including birds) is a risk to safety of the line. If not - presumably it's then a driver not wanting to harm a poor little birdie - that's left with the TOC (and to be discussed with the driver). There are two footnotes to that section of the DAPR^▸ (Delay Attribution Principles and Rules) (Q1.8.1), one of them specific to swans:

Note: Safety of the Line in this circumstance is deemed to be where the reporting person believes there is a potential risk to the safety of their train, other trains, any persons on those trains or the overall safe operation of the railway.

Note: Incursion incidents involving swans (not struck by a train) are to be coded to X8 given their protected status.

X8:   Animal Strike or incursion not within the control of Network Rail     EXT ANIMAL

So that's one of things things NR pay for though they are not held to be responsible.

[eightonedee]

Is it true that swans can only take off from water?

No, but it's far easier!

[Chris from Nailsea]

My understanding is that swans can take off from the ground (given enough open space, taking into consideration their wingspan), but they prefer to land on water, where they can use their webbed feet to some slowing effect.