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For the 8th year Popeye and Penny have done the business and started to hatch their cygnets. Today I expected the hatch and was not disappointed. For a brief moment the skies were clear and I saw the first one appear from under her wings.
The weather ensured that it was brief, because the heavy showers and cold wind made her tuck them under her protective wings. I did manage however to get a few shots as Penny gave herself a clean underneath. I am fully expecting at least 8 but possibly her record of 9 yet again.
The cold weather is a problem and might drive her into the harbour for shelter too quickly, plus the fact that the resident Otters pose a real threat to the cygnets.
UPDATE : Proper scrutiny this morning reveals Penny has equaled her record of 9 cygnets hatched !
With another brief break in the cloud, I can confirm it is 8 cygnets hatched to date.
Enjoy some of the Aww pics taken this evening,
plus a short video when penny tries to call them from the nest to the moat.
Wisely they stayed where it was warm, the air is still very cold !
As expected Penny has delivered the goods right on schedule. At this time I could see 7 cygnets for definite, possibly 8 in one of the enclosed pics.
In spite of the cold spring she has managed to maintain the right heat for the hatch to be successful. I was lucky to get a break in the rain and clouds to get a few pics when she let them out for some sunshine.
Popeye will no doubt get them into the water at the earliest opportunity.
Special Thanks to the 60+ members of the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust who have helped fund the quality food for the Swans over the long Winter.
More pics will be on stream over the coming weeks.
In spite of the appalling weather during incubation, Penny has pulled it off yet again, her opening of the wings was almost an exclamation of - Look What I've Got ! Well done Penny and Popeye for giving us another brood of beautiful cygnets ! The first out of the nest was joined by another and they had a getting to know you session, They had their first look at me - I am keen to see what the final total will be. What we need now is a spell of warm conditions, to encourage the growth of river weed for the cygnets to eat !
