THEY SAY that animals are often more clever than we give them credit for. There was certainly evidence of this in Enniscorthy on Tuesday of last week as a savvy swan went for a stroll around town.

Much to the amusement of passing traffic, the feathered friend made his way across the old Bridge from Templeshannon towards the town centre with the swagger and sense of determination of someone heading out to do the weekly shop.

Remarkably, the swan then paused for a moment at the pedestrian crossing at Slaney place before making his way out onto the road in front of traffic. How the swan knew he was at the pedestrian crossing it not clear. Perhaps he would have even pressed the button to bring traffic to a halt correctly but for the fact he was lacking the proper dexterity!

A change of mind then took place and, having crossed the road to Slaney Place, the swan decided to turn back towards the river. At this point, motorists and passers-by decided to usher him back down to the riverside before he got himself injured, or into trouble.

The intelligent swan walked across the Old Bridge before crossing to Slaney Place at the crossing.