NAIRN SWANS - THE DYNASTY CONTINUES

As anticipated, today sees the new generation of Nairn swans hatching on the Swans Island. 

Sue and Slim continue the Dynasty set by Penny and Popeye over the last decade. Currently I have spotted 3 cygnets and possibly more to follow.

Weather conditions could not have been worse with torrential rain during the night causing a big spate on the river. Not only is it dangerous for fledglings, but disturbs the swans food supply on the riverbed. Sue has been keeping them warm and dry in spite of the torrential rain. 

This morning she decided to come to me for some sustenance as it has been 3 days since she last left the nest. I took a few pics as she descended into the river and only later realised that 3 cygnets were about to follow her as Slim took on babysitting duties. 

Thankfully they did not follow Mum, as the water is fast flowing and the island steep with dense growth. You have to look carefully to spot them between Slim and Sue, the individual one is easier to see on Mum in the nest.

Sue was born exactly 4 years ago on the exact same spot, this is a huge advantage because she knows the river in all conditions, Slim will follow her lead and learn all there is to know about the territory as well. Further details on the cygnets will be posted as and when I get the chance.  

Nesting Vigilance

Our new generation Nairn Swans ( Slim and Sue ) have established themselves on the River with a little encouragement from The Trust.

Sue was born on the island 4 years ago and knows me and the river well.

She has started nesting on the exact spot where she was born and has Slim as her mate and guardian.

From what I've observed, ha is attentive and well up to the job of a male Swan. He is young, confident and vigilant. In keeping with the Trust's aims, all members can help by keeping a watchful eye on the safety and welfare of our new Nairn Swans. In these dark days of epidemic, they will soon  give us all reasons to be cheerful, given the time and peace.

Nairn Swans - 10 Years On

It's hard to believe that Popeye and Penny our resident Swans, first arrived on the river ten years ago. I had taken up digital photography just a few years before, and loved taking pictures of all the Swans that I saw on the River. It was a sunny 6th of May 2005 when I first saw Popeye and Penny below.

I deduced that they must have been newly paired up and were looking for a nesting territory, had they been a mature pair, they would have been nesting at that time of year, they must have been about 4 years old. A few weeks later they were chased out of the river by our previous river residents. The following year they returned and laid a couple of eggs in the long river grass near the harbour toilets, these were promptly swamped by the monthly high tide. 

Undeterred Penny moved up river to the island strip near the road bridge and again laid a few eggs. I recall one Monday morning I saw her away from the nest and she would not return to it, the previous night something had scared her and she abandoned the nest, it could have been an Otter, Mink or dog.
Again they were chased from the river by the previous pair, only to return in 2007 trying to nest in the harbour.

 Once again they were caught by the spring tides and the eggs swamped daily, they had still not come to terms with the tidal nature of the Estuary. Again they were expelled by the previous pair after a fatal fight that cost the lives of the previous pair's cygnets, and latterly the life of the previous Cob who hit a power line, it was truly a tragic year !

That was the last straw for me,  I was determined to have a proper nesting island, on the river so much desired by the Swans. 

The island was successfully built later that Summer and I hoped the previous Pen would find another mate.

Sadly she did not and moved away in October 2007, I last saw her the following January in the sea near the paddling pool.

A few weeks later in February 2008, Popeye and Penny returned to the river and immediately took to the new island to build a nest, I was overjoyed.

Their first brood was 4 cygnets, and since then they have successfully raised seven broods with as many as 9 at a time, totalling 56 fledged cygnets since 2008. 

Their remarkable persistence paid off, and they are now part of the Nairn community.

We could all learn a lot from Swans, qualities like courage, fidelity, and persistence.

Nairn Swans

The seven cygnets are still on the go, and the injured one seems to be fine. 

By an amazing stroke of luck I found a dead Crow close to Merryton bridge yesterday. I decided to put it to good use on the swans island as a deterrent, so far it seems to be having the desired effect ! 

As always, the Swans are drawing a lot of photogenic attention, so here's a selection of mine over the past few days.

Spring is in The Air

Spring is in the air, with brilliant sunshine again favouring the Moray firth, the Nairn Swans are getting in the mood for another breeding season.

  
Popeye and Penny were enjoying the renovated moat and new abundance of fresh water available. 

Penny started the courtship today by blowing bubbles, and Popeye soon joined in 

- the sequence of photos shows the annual mating ritual.
Enjoy !

This Week

Been a good week weather wise, and long may it continue ! 

Pigeon with the broken leg made a complete recovery, and today I bade her farewell and let her rejoin the town flock. It was a pleasure caring for her since she was so gentle and not a problem. A few days ago she was standing in her water bowl on top of the book case, so I gave her a bath in the sink. She thoroughly enjoyed the soaking , especially under her wings.

The 9 ducklings rescued prior to the big Bertha flood are almost fully grown after nearly 7 weeks, ( short clip below ) and will be returned to the river in 2 weeks time when they should be on the verge of flight. 

The other 8 hatched ducklings from the abandoned nest are growing, and the last two which I had to help out of the shells are finally starting to catch up with the stronger ones.

Nairn swans are also doing well and have frequent trips to the sea, but still come back up river for their vital supplementary feeding.

The autumn evening chill seems to herald the cheery twittering of the Robin, always enjoyable to hear them sing.

  

Nairn Swans - October

The Nairn Swans are just over 5 months old and now flying, they are in extremely good condition and getting that wee bit whiter every week. 

The river has still not seen a big spate this season, and it is likely that the cygnets will be around for some time yet. 

A few photos taken today of our much admired Nairn swans.