The majestic guardian.

I spent 2 minutes trying to figure out what a reading bus is. Is it like a book mobile? Woosh!

It's just the one swan, actually

Yeah, Reading (pronounced “Red-ing”) is the name of the town so it can be a little confusing. I was going to change the title so it makes a bit more sense for non-locals but the sub rules said it must be the exact headline!

Peter Ian Staker, is that you?

Still not sure why. Are swans some kind of religiously revered species? They can fly you know.

I have this problem with traffic coming to a complete halt as a string of ducks or geese cross a busy road. Just proceed, they can fly, you can't.

Swans in the UK are technically owned by the royal family, thanks to some very old laws (like medieval old). Combined with being a protected species, and they probably just wanted to avoid accidentally hurting it by driving off while it was on the bus (also to get it vet attention in case it was already hurt or sick).

> Swans in the UK are technically owned by the royal family

I did not know this. Makes a certain sense. There are still royal game reserves as well if I recall.

Probably Ms. Swan. That would definitely put it out of action.