In the Pink

The adult swans have re-started their push on the cygnets to leave. The weather is getting milder and the cygnets are healthy and strong. They will be 8 months old later this week and should have built up enough fat reserves to make it through to the spring. All last week they have spent a lot of time away from the parents, and the final act will be to leave and join the first flock of swans they come across. They will usually stay with the flock until they mature in 2 or 3 years time when they will pick a mate and look for a territory of their own - this is the way of Swans. It has been a delight to watch the Tufted ducks, cygnets and other birds on the river this last few days. I will miss the cygnets when they go !