Learning Lessons - Swan Behaviour

I am often asked questions about the Swans and their behaviour.

One which has come up several times over the years is " why do the parents sometimes fly away  and leave the cygnets? "

                      I observe this behaviour every year with every brood of cygnets that have been hatched on the river.

The answer has become fairly obvious. It's always the Pen that triggers the quick flight away, followed immediately by the Cob. The flight only lasts a few seconds and takes them 50 or 60 meres away from the brood, but crucially within sight of them. The reaction of the cygnets is to bunch together, squeaking and paddle towards the parents. Likewise the parents paddle back towards the cygnets.

When they meet up there is an exchange of greetings with head nodding, squeaks and some sounds from the Pen. 

                         I am pretty sure the lesson to be learned by the cygnets is,  stay together, make calls,  and we will  find you.  A simple but important lesson, that a large group is easier to find, and there is safety in numbers. Sequence of shots explains all.
FYI. The above pics were taken in 2016. Popeye and Penny's last brood together...and coincidentally  one of the cygnets is now our present Mum Sue ...who has repeated the lessons to her brood below. Notice the age and size of cygnets, and same open mouth lecture by Mums !