Lovesick swan falls in love with swan paddle boat

BERLIN, May 27 (Reuters) A swan has fallen in love with a plastic swan-shaped paddle boat on a pond in the German town of Muenster and has spent the past three weeks flirting with the vessel five times its size, a sailing instructor said.

Peter Overschmidt, who operates a sailing school and rents the two-seat paddle boat on the Aasee pond, said the black swan with a bright red beak has not left the white swan boat's side since it flew in one day in early May.

''It seems like he's fallen in love,'' said Overschmidt. ''He protects it, sits next to it all the time and chases away any sail boats that get anywhere nearby. He thinks the boat is a strong and attractive swan.'' Overschmidt said the swan will figure it out sooner or later but hopes he won't be too heartbroken.

''I'll wish him all the best and hope that he doesn't make the same mistake again,'' said Overschmidt.'' Reuters DKS GC0839