TWO rare black swans have been found more than 10,000 miles from its native habitat, floating on Whelford Pool Nature Reserve near Fairford.

The species, which originated in Australia, is commonly seen in wildlife parks across the country but is rarely sighted in the wild.

Unlike the white mute swans we usually see, black swans appear to be jet black but boast white wing feathers which are visible when the birds are in flight.

Lucky photographer Alan Williams spotted these two birds as they drifted down the reserve yesterday morning.

It's thought that the small number of black swans living in the wild here are ancestors of birds either released or escaped from captivity.

In 2005 there were fewer than 20 nesting pairs in the country but there are now many more.