Rail travellers faced delays this morning after a swan was reported on the tracks at Staines station.
South West Trains told passengers the disruption on the Waterloo to Reading route occurred because the bird was “refusing to move”.
Services were halted as the line was temporarily closed to allow the creature to leave the area.
The swan is believed to have left without human intervention.
Delays continued until around 10.30am.
A Southwest Trains customer announcement said: “A swan that was refusing to move from the railway line earlier this morning has now left the area, and trains are able to run on the bridge over the River Thames. Services are now able to run through the area.”
Passengers took to social media to discuss the delays, with one saying that a train carriage “erupted with laughter” when passengers were told the amusing reason behind the disruption.
Commuter Richard Church tweeted a photo of the swan perched on the ground next to the train he was travelling on.
He wrote: “@SW_Trains #MondayMayhem #PowerCuts, #BadLeaves and culprit of delays this #SmugSwanOnTheLine inauspicious start to week of #USElections2016.”
The rail operator’s account replied: “Sorry for the delay Richard. The swan was being rather awkward despite our driver’s best efforts.”
Harriet Hawkins said: “@SW_Trains after two hours stuck in a train with no power, carriage erupts with laughter when we stop again - 'a swan on the bridge' ! #happymondays.”
Another passenger Ashoor Namrood wrote: “@SW_Trains have you managed to get the swan off the line yet? You couldn’t make this up. How stubborn is this swan? Haha.”
Fran Perrow tweeted: “Leaves, a swan and no electricity are among today’s @SW_Train’s excuses.”
Phil Young posted: “After two hours stuck on @SW_Trains outside Twickenham because of power failure, now stuck at Staines because of a swan on the bridge! #greatworkexcuses.”
Services were also delayed on the Waterloo to Reading route because of a power failure between Twickenham and Feltham.
