WINCHESTER College has sparked outrage after removing a swan’s nest from a beauty spot less than two weeks before seven eggs are due to hatch.

The college has said it moved the nest following a series of attacks by the swan which have caused 'anxiety' among members of the public.

The Chronicle story has since been picked up by the national press, including Mail Online.

However, nature enthusiasts have accused the college of acting 'immorally' and within its own interests.

People were first alerted to the swans’ disappearance on Tuesday after a sign appeared by the stretch of the Itchen Navigation near Wharf Hill, where the two swans had been incubating their unhatched cygnets.

The sign said 'professionals' had moved the swans and their nest to an 'approved alternative habitat' under licence from Natural England following 'expert advice'. However, residents have since raised their concerns for the birds' safety, with many left questioning where the nest has been relocated.

The contentious spot, which is owned by the college, is also home to the Rowing Club’s boathouse. Last year river keeper Mark Sankey put up warning notices on Domum Road and gates within the nature reserve to warn passers-by of ‘aggressive behaviour’ from the male swan following several reported incidents from both students and members of the public.

However, Esme Holding, a retired specialist nurse, insisted the swan’s behaviour had been provoked by college students and staff, and it was only acting to defend its nest.

She said: "I think the college is acting immorally; it is shocking. The whole nest has gone. The eggs were half-way through their incubation and were due to hatch in another week and a half.

“The swan is only defensive when his hen is on the nest. The college says the swan is being aggressive to the public. They put up notices last year saying there was a dangerous swan when actually he wasn’t. He only gets aggressive when the nest is approached and is just doing what a swan does.

“The nest is on college land. They could have simply closed the footpath. The boys at the boathouse could carry their boats further downstream. The boys go past the nest with their paddles. The swan will go to the boathouse and wait for the boats and try to bite their oars, saying ‘go away, this is where my babies are’. He is not vicious he is defending his nest. Things are much worse when the college boys come back.”

Ms Holding, of Parchment Street, said she had previously reported multiple incidents to the college’s headmaster and David Barber, the Queen’s swan marker, including one in June last year when she says she witnessed a college don taunting the cob with a bike.

Hampshire Chronicle: The injury the cob sustained after Ms Holding says it was goaded by a college don last year The injury the cob sustained after Ms Holding says it was goaded by a college don last year

The college responded at the time to say it was investigating the matter but it ‘wasn’t aware’ of any aggression towards the swans.

Scores of fellow Winchester residents shared their outrage on social media after hearing the swans had been moved from the canal.

Juliet Heathcote said: "It makes me really sad. We just bulldoze everything for our convenience. Swans in a nature reserve getting booted out for the benefit of humans. Some irony."

Mike Sagar added: "This same pair nested in exactly the same place last year and successfully raised six cygnets. The college notice posted claimed it was necessary because some walkers had claimed anxiety from the aggressive nature of the swans. In my view, the nervous anxiety ridden walkers should take heed of the warning signs and take one of the alternative routes. It's more likely that the College wanted to get their boats out."

According to the Environmental Protection Act, it is illegal to intentionally take, damage or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it’s being used or built. It is also against the law to possess, control or transport live or dead wild birds, or parts of them, or their eggs.

However, under certain circumstances landowners can apply for a specialist licence to circumvent the rules.

Keith Betton, county recorder and chairman of the Hampshire Ornithological Society, said swan eggs can be moved safely during incubation, as long as they’re kept warm. However, he said it’s “sad” the college has taken the decision to move the nest.

He said: “It’s very sad that people are viewing swans as a problem. Swans are part if the natural habitat and they’ve been here far longer than we have. Certainly, if they were on my land, I’d be doing my best to divert the public rather than move the swans to keep them safe.”

Winchester College has said it will do "all it can" to support wildlife on its land, and has apologised to members of the public who have been concerned about the swan's behaviour and welfare.

Natural England, the RSPB and Hampshire Wildlife Trust has been approached for comment.