Cygnets Expelled

Has been a long time in coming, but Sue and Slim have finally cut the apron strings from the cygnets. On the same day I had Briget taken to Beauly, Slim and Sue took the cygnets away along the coast. 

Last evening the previous poorly cygnet flew back alone.

This evening Sue and Slim were in a fairly aggressive mode, relentlessly chasing the cygnet up ad down the river. 

The devoted parents for the last 8 and half months have decided it's time for them to fend for themselves! 

                  I'm particularly impressed by the way they kept them until the weather and poorly one got better, fit enough to leave home. 

This was their first brood and they kept them an extraordinary length of time. Sue was the one dictating the expulsion, showing yet again she is the prime mover in this relationship! They now have a couple of months to themselves, before the cycle starts again. If Briget or any other swans come into the river now, they will be attacked by Slim and Sue !