Saturday 4 April 2020

A Swan Named Sue



                        It has become increasingly clear to me that our new generation Pen, is one of Penny and Popeye's offspring of 2016. 


That was the last brood hatched by our magnificent pair who dominated the riverside since 2008. 


Penny and Popeye reared 9 generations until 2016 when sadly he died. The new Pen " Sue "will be 4 years old this May, making it the optimum time for her to start mating and nesting as a first time adult. Penny and Duke only had one brood in 2018, and this would make any of that brood too young and immature to be nesting this year.
Looks like Penny knew her daughter was waiting just offshore, and has ceded the territory without any need for a fight, this would explain the easy takeover.


We can only hope that "Sue "and "Slim" turn out as good as Penny and Popeye at rearing cygnets, she has all the hallmarks of Penny. Photo's are of the 2016 brood, and one of those cygnets is Sue !

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