Within a week of hatching, the cygnets are already being taught life lessons by Slim and Sue.
Hardwired into their DNA the ability to take on board survival skills that we humans do not possess at that age.
When danger is close the cygnets instinctively group together, ducklings do the same thing, a case of safety in numbers and not so easily picked off by predators.
Slim and Sue have already flown off a short distance but still within visual contact of the brood, this makes them automatically group together and head for the parents.
Slim and Sue head back towards them and acknowledge the meeting by head nodding a greeting.
This valuable life lesson tells the cygnets to stick together and you will be safe and found, alone you might be lost!
Yesterday this was almost the case, as one of them was swept downstream, but saved by the group action of the family.
They almost lost the battle against the current but just managed to get out of the river below the bailey bridge. I escorted them back along the shingle close to the maggot wall for an hour.
After resting up for another couple of hours they managed to re-cross the swollen river and head home to the safety of the island moat.
Short video of this mornings meal time below.
2 comments:
Hi Joe, it is fascinating watching the parents with their cygnets, teaching them these all important life skills. I have been doing a swan walk and talk for small groups of interested people along our disused stretch of canal and they are amazed at how clever at parenting swans can be. Our cob, Vulcan, gets himself into bother because he is so protective of his family. He stands on the cycle path and pecks at wheels as they speed past him and pecks at people’s legs if they walk close to his mate or cygnets. Some people are quite frightened by him and others realise he is protecting his family. Others, however, are not so empathetic and kick out at him or poke at him with fishing rods or sticks. Hopefully, the more people learn about the swans the more understanding they will become. I hope all our swans will stay safe. Thanks for the interesting blog, x Wendy
Hi Wendy, Education is the key to humans behaving better towards wildlife. A canal path to a Swan, is actually a riverbank and part of it's domain. Perhaps a few signs along that area asking people to give the Swans space. Something like " Nesting Swans, Please give them space" maybe the local council could do it. Sadly Humans and dogs are often the biggest threat to Swans. Vulcan is doing what he should, but it can be risky dealing with humans.
Best wishes, Joe x
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