We have a pair of swans at the golf course who most excitingly have built their nest, but it is also very problematic. The place they chose to build is very exposed and right in the line of fire for when golfers hit their golf balls across the water. Sadly, not every golf ball that is hit with the intention of crossing the water in fact gets across – many of them meet a watery end and the place where the nest is can be a place where a mis-hit ball could slam. What to do to protect these valued potential parents and their eggs without causing them any distress.
A plan was hatched and put into action. A small rowing boat was launched into the lake. Perched on the boat was a protective screen made of fine chicken wire and stakes. The boat was manoeuvred into position with a system of ropes attached to each end of the boat. The two rope ends were long enough to be held onto by those on land who used them to manoeuvre the boat with screen into a position to provide a safety net about a metre in front of the nest. The boat with screen will remain until it is safe to remove it.
What I would really love to know is what the swans think of the efforts that have been made to protect them. They must not have realised the danger they were in so now don’t realise that the threat has been virtually removed. They have no way, and probably no inclination to thank the people who have put up the screen. What is the difference between swans and us? It is this – we do know there are dangers, we do know that God protects us with a safety net around us and, what’s more, we can and should thank him.
Father God, we are your children and thank you for extending us the care that you do. Amen
Jacqui