Island Snippets: Swan Lake and foxes, By Raymond Grayden

Swan Lake was always noted for the presence of black swans, up to 50 at any one time.

It could be seen from Joe Graydens nearby property very clearly.

In April 1930 when we were harvesting chicory, we observed a white swan among the black swans on the lake.

It remained there for two months, after which it was not seen again.

Swan Lake contained English perch, which had been transported from Green Lake when it dried up.

The transfer of the fish, according to local legend, was effected by Charles and Jessie McGregor.

They rescued some fish from Green Lake, which was almost dry, racing their horses across to Swan Lake with a number of fish in Charlie’s felt hat, and whatever other means they had, and throwing them in.

Campers at the lake used to set lines for eels and perch.

When the early rains extended the area of water and eels could be seen at midnight, by torchlight, swimming in the shallows, and they could be caught easily.

In July 1915, two young men Frank Marston and Charles Redmile were baptised in Swan Lake as part of their entry into the Latter Day Saints Church.

The lake was a lifesaver in dry times when some farmers drove their cattle there each day for a drink of good water.

Bounty on foxes

In 1923 foxes were killing large numbers of mutton birds and penguins on all the nesting rookeries and the powers that be decided it was time to end the taking of fully grown young birds for domestic use.

The birds and the eggs had previously been obtained under license.

Three of the major rookeries were in Ventnor, being at Swan lake, Flynn’s Lagoon area and McHaffies Lagoon area.

To encourage hunting of foxes the State Government paid a bounty of ten shillings per scalp.

Sometimes local shooters would spend a day hunting, going through the areas of timber and scrub banging kerosene tins and yelling out to chase the foxes out.

Some of the shooters would go ahead to shoot any foxes that came out ahead of the noise being made.

The most consistent hunters were Charlie West and his son Gordon, Jack Hall, Charlie Grachan, Bob Forrest and Tom Hobbs.

Charlie West was Known to sit for hours on a moonlight night waiting for a fox to appear at a frequent spot.

Gordon West used to seek out the breeding places, usually a disused large burrow, and trap fox pups.

These local hunters made a wonderful contribution in reducing the fox numbers to a minimum saving many shearwaters and penguins from a cruel death.