Cygnet Safety

The Nairn Swans have finally had enough of the nesting site, and swapped what must have seemed like the north face of the Eiger, for the north side of the harbour ! Penny has obviously had enough of the biting Northerly winds which has plagued the nest site for weeks now. The Harbour offers some respite from the wind and the chance of some seaweed for the cygnets, but we badly need some warmth ! Today she kept the cygnets under her wings virtually the whole day, I only saw them once briefly at the harbours edge. Bearing in mind how vulnerable the cygnets are to predators at this time, Blackback gulls, and Crows within the harbour area will snatch one if given half a chance. I would like to remind people not to attempt throwing bread at the Swans when resting on the land within the harbour. This will only attract predators and give them a chance to exploit the vulnerability of the swans on land. They previously lost a cygnet to a black back gull a few years ago in the harbour. The cygnets need slimy weed at this stage of their development, admire and take photo's by all means but don't throw bread at them !