A black dot off Pakiti Rock at 4.30pm Thursday 29th turned out to be a black swan, paddling along in the briney.

We kid you not, and we had not yet got into the preprandial plonk.

We’ve seen black swans on North Piha Road – and in town on Viaduct Harbour – but never before a surfing swan though it had picked a calm day. Too far out to get a photo. We wonder if it had tired flying on this windy day and come down for a rest. Right now it’s paddling northwards, watch for it, you North Piha folk.