Having caught a glimpse of himself in the mirrors in the toilet block at Westonbirt Arboretum, one male swallow has decided he certainly doesn't like what he sees. In fact, the problem has become so bad that the offending mirrors have had to be removed!
Our man on the ground, James Chen, thinks it's a case of mistaken identity:
“Many male birds attack reflections of themselves, believing they are fending off a rival male. The male swallow that took up residence in Westonbirt’s toilet block was so determined to defend his honour, the Forestry Commission sensibly decided the mirrors had to come down. He seemed on a mission to self-destruct, and would have left his partner with lots of hungry mouths to feed.”
The swallow chicks have only just fledged so if you need to use the facilities whilst you're there make sure you keep an eye out for them. But don't hang around too long because you might upset the parents and the male is obviously a bird you don't want to mess with!