Newbie

 This week marked 6 months since the hatching of the cygnets. Slim and Sue seem quite content to keep them in the territory with frequent trips along the coast. Flying back, and leaving them to make their own way home. 

They are getting increasingly whiter, except for Runty who's development is still a couple of weeks behind the others. 

Meanwhile on the home front, Saffron Ebony and Disco now have a new addition to the group. A young Drake called Newbie who I hope will eventually mate with Saffron , leaving her brother Ebony to partner Disco. 

The idea being that the white duck gene will be passed on to any offspring they might have in the future. Both Ebony and Saffron should be carrying the gene, but hope they don't interbreed , hence the hopeful  partnerships of Disco and Newbie. 

Whatever happens they will all be free to return to the river next Summer. Meanwhile Newbie being last in the group has to keep his distance, and accept the fact that he's  last in the pecking order !