High Noon & High Tide for Nairn

After nearly 9 months since hatching the Nairn cygnets are about to get expelled from the river.

The parents have been exemplary until the last few days, and have now turned on their beloved offspring as nature intended. It is time for them to make their own way in the world and join flocks of other young swans where they will pick partners in a couple of years time.

Meanwhile I hope the parents don't push them away until this coming bad spell of weather has passed. Strong winds are very dangerous to young inexperienced cygnets and can result in serious injury or death . It's obvious the parents think springs on it's way regardless of the current weather situation. I think the cygnets are healthy and strong, and have probably enough reserves to get them through the remainder of the winter. They have almost stripped the harbour walls bare of seaweed, and I have been feeding them 6 lbs of carrots and 2 loaves daily for the past few months. Many other people I know have been feeding them as well. I feel privileged to have witnessed their lives over the past 9 months, it has been a joy.

While it will be High Noon for the cygnets, it will be the highest tides of the year this Sunday to Tuesday. With strong northerly winds and the river in spate, it has the potential for flooding in fishertown. Freezing temperatures would hold back any big melt of snow.

The Pen today was particularly aggressive to the youngsters, (see vid).