Swan Lake

Viv Groskop describes how she developed a deep fear of swans in her childhood, actually believing that these birds could kill (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/26/escape-your-comfort-zone-i-love-swimming-outdoors-so-i-decided-to-confront-my-deep-fear-of-swans). Groskop's swan phobia became a problem for her in the Covid19 lockdowns, when she took up swimming outdoors (pools were closed). She sometimes had to share the lake or river with swans. Sensibly, Groskop got help from a 'swan whisperer' to deal with her phobia (standard exposure therapy?). People have been frequently warned that swans can break an arm or a leg with their powerful wings. Swans only 'attack' humans, however, if their chicks or eggs appear threatened. A swan is only likely to bite a human by accident, when being fed bread (they naturally eat grass). Swans have much more to fear from humans than vice versa!