Mirrors removed from public toilets to stop feisty swallows from attacking themselves

Officials at the National Arboretum in Gloucestershire have taken the unusual step of removing all the mirrors from the public toilets because feisty swallows keep fighting their own reflections in there.

The Forestry Commission said male swallows that live in the trees at the Arboretum in Westonbirt, near Tetbury, believe they are seeing off rivals for their mate and their territory if they catch a glimpse of themselves in the mirrors.



Paul Cody, the head of visitor attraction at Westonbirt, said there were five nests nearby and the mirrors will be removed until October when things calm down a bit.

“We have taken the decision to remove the toilet mirrors to prevent the resident swallows from injuring or causing unnecessary stress to themselves,” he said.