THE future for any new eggs laid by the Dawlish Black Swans appears to be bleak.

Any eggs laid on the flimsy nest are likely to be infertile the town’s waterfowl wardens have warned.

There have been fears for the survival of any eggs laid as the breeding pair Bert and Kimba have made the makeshift nest on a small, low lying island in the the Brook.

Previously they have nested either on a man made site, high above the waterline, at Tuck’s Plot or in rushes alongside the Brook.

At least three eggs have been laid.

Onlookers have said they believe ongoing work by South West Water on the Lawn may have disturbed and confused the pair.

It has also been noticed Bert and Kimba are not behaving in the way they have with previous nests.

One said: ‘Bert is normally in a guarding and chasing off mode but is definitely different this time.

‘They are not settled and the nest isn't comfy either.

‘The SWW works have clearly thrown them.’

The owners of holiday accommodation Pilchard Cottage have been keeping a watchful eye on the pair.

They said: ‘It’s not looking too positive this time, the gulls were circling very close by this morning too.

‘I wonder if that’s why Bert has taken the lead in protecting the eggs so far as usually Kimba spends most of her time on the nest.’

Concerns had already been made about the location of the nest close to the waterline.

Dawlish town councillors received a report from the wardens at a meeting of the Civic Amenities Committee.

Members also raised concerns about the ‘less than ideal’ location.

Wardens are monitoring the situation closely as they were concerned the eggs are not being looked after, possibly suggesting it is infertile.

The wardens are continuing to check on the swans and may intervene if necessary.