A few weeks ago I spotted the first cygnet for our local swan pair. The pair had been sitting on the nest for about six weeks and it was on a rainy afternoon that I saw one peeking out, whilst its siblings either hadn’t yet hatched or they were keeping tucked in, sheltered from the rain.
The following week I went up to the pond and delighted in seeing the family all out enjoying a warm sunny evening.
There were five cygnets.
The following week I went up to the pond on three or four separate occasions and on different times of day but there was no sign of swans or cygnets. I couldn’t understand where they had gone to. However this week I fought my way down through long grass and nettles to another smaller, hard to reach pond and there they were!
They are down to four cygnets. One year the pair lost all their cygnets so I wonder if moving them to the smaller pond gives them a better chance of survival. They are much more open to predation on the larger pond.
When I go to see them they always come swimming towards me. Perhaps they are looking to be fed, I’m afraid I have to disappoint them. The male swan looks like its going to come out of the water towards me, and at that point I retreat, although he doesn’t look aggressive.
Here’s hoping the remaining four cygnets continue to flourish.
Sarah's Wildlife Watch 