Simply Superb Six .. So Far !

 Sue Started hatching her cygnets yesterday, and I can reveal that this evening there were 6 in the nest. 

However , she is still incubating at least one more egg that I could see. 

Weather conditions have not been pleasant with a strong blustery wind limiting her exposing the cygnets to the big wide world. 

My close relationship with Slim and Sue allowed me the privilege of an exclusive peep at their babies. 

Although I  had to wait an hour in the nuisance wind for a short video of the superb 6 below. Enjoy ! 

    

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 !   

House Martins

Quite a flock of House Martins on the riverside today, more this summer than usual I think. 

They were busy gathering mud and weed for nest building. 

There is an abundance of river weed after this spell of sunny weather, also suits the cygnets who look extremely well fed !

Still Here

The cygnets are testing the patience of Penny and are reluctant to leave the river for good.....so far !
This week sees the highest spring tides this year due to rare planetary line-up, this will mean exceptional high and low tidal conditions on Friday and Saturday.

Today's mild conditions meant snow melt raising the river level, which stymied the earthmover from crossing to complete repairs to the moat.

Peaceful Co-Existence

Peaceful co-existence reigns among the swans and ducks even at feeding time.

The cygnets are almost independent of Popeye and Penny and are often sited at separate locations, 

they seem to know that their time is limited with their parents, it will soon be time to go.

They are in excellent condition whenever that time comes.

Trust, Summer Update

Most of my viewers will already be aware of the main events this season so far. 

Popeye and Penny have produced 8 cygnets , bringing their total survivors since moving into the river at 49 to date. 
This years duckling count to date is 77 survivors and 96 fatalities that I am currently aware of, this will no doubt change . 

However this is the best season ever for the ducks on the river Nairn. I think the main reasons for this years success are several, the hatches are later than previous years which means more cover for the nesting ducks and more insects for the ducklings.

Warmer days and nights means less food required for survival, this includes the predators like the crows, which have also had increased carrion because of the deadly pigeon paramyxovirus which has affected many of the towns pigeons. This has taken the predator pressure off the ducklings for the time being. The mother ducks are also more experienced, a trend that I hope continues!
Membership of the Trust has now reached 124, for which I am truly grateful, the cost of feed uses all our funds. Rescued birds this season has now reached 34, most of which have survived. 

Later this week I will release the rescued Glebe road mother and ducklings into the river,

as well as a pigeon recovering from an injured wing.

More Aww Pics Again

The cygnets are growing fast and still the centre of riverside attraction. It's easy to see why !

Weekend Lookback

The Nairn Cygnets have provided countless photo opportunities for locals and tourists alike. Many will return to their homeland, keen to upload their photos and show them off to friends and family. 

Am always pleased to divulge information about the Swans their offspring and habits, to anyone with an interest in wildlife.

This week has seen tourists from as far away as South Africa and China, as well as local caravan park visitors, all delighted to see our 9 new cygnets.

Here are some of my views over the past week or so.

Macro Mode Cygnets

Generally I keep my camera set on auto, because I found that I can't really improve much on the auto setting of my particular camera.

However I switch to the macro mode when getting the chance to take close up shots. 

Enclosed some recent shots of the cygnets in macro mode.

Otter Danger

Penny set the alarm bells going this evening in the Harbour and the Cygnets quickly scrambled to get onto her back.

 An Otter was spotted fishing along the harbour entrance wall, and Penny quickly got the cygnets out of the water and onto the harbour beach.
I suspect this Otter has been resident around the Harbour for some time, and is probably the killer of 2 young ducks in the harbour earlier in the year.

 It is noticeable that few ducks use the harbour these days with an Otter resident !

Cygnets

Not yet 2 weeks old but growing rapidly the cygnets are still pretty adorable to look at, asleep or not. 

Popeye and Penny are ever watchful and keep all comers at a safe distance - especially predators !