Cygnets Videos

Some more video clips of the cygnets below. 

Nest cygnets Close - up Video

Today I had the chance and privilege for another close up view of the nest. This morning I noticed what appeared to be a dead cygnet lying at the edge of the nest. I had to wait until the tide went back to investigate, sadly it was a dead cygnet. The video below shows Sue returning to the nest and the cygnets following.. the dead cygnet can be seen on the right hand side of the film. 

Close inspection of the cygnet, which I removed as it would attract predators- revealed it's right foot was enveloped in the eggshell membrane. it would have been unable to use this leg and was probably crushed by the parents every time they sat in the nest. There was also another un hatched egg in the nest. However, the 6 surviving cygnets are robust and healthy as the video shows.

First Trip With Sue

 

Sue decided to leave the nest with her 6 cygnets, leaving Slim to watch the nest. 

This was her first trip with all the cygnets to date. Slim had already taken them for a dip earlier.

Short video below of the grand entrance to the Moat !

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 ! 

    

Ducklings Progress

 Saffron's brood has certainly livened up the garden with periodic skirmishes. All of them are a joy to observe , but sometimes all hell breaks loose when the ducklings attempt to get up close to new arrivals. 

                       I had hoped to be able to raise and  release Disco's and Saffron's brood together, but this looks unlikely at this point. 

The 4 eldest yellow/white ducklings will be released next week, all being well. 

Short video below showing how easily fights can develop between protective mothers!

Saffron First Brood

This morning Saffron hatched 8 ducklings... 3 of them little yellow beauties!

                    I could not be more pleased, having rescued Saffron from the Crows last August, this was always my hope. 

She is a beautiful duck, and her joy can be seen with her brood around her. 

This means we now have 23 ducklings carrying the Yellow/White gene, to be released back to the river later. 

Hopefully some will survive and pass on the genes for many years to come. Short video below shows Saffron's affectionate little nudges to her babies. 

Ducks Integration

With the limited garden space that I have, it's quite a task trying to integrate the different ducklings safely.

 Disco has 10 and is very protective, she has no problem attacking the 6 week old yellow ducklings if they venture too close to her wee ones. 

On top of that, Saffron comes off her nest 3 or 4 times a day and can cause mayhem in the 5 or 10 minutes she is off the nest. I also have to watch the Herring gulls on the roof eyeing up the ducklings for a quick meal ! 

Getting them used to each other at a distance has been the key. 

The use of the aviary and folding coop allowing all of them use of the pool  in turn, then gradually letting them integrate, has worked out well. 

The final test will come next week when Saffron is due to hatch her clutch... no doubt some mayhem again ! Short video below, showing Disco keeping order.

Dedicated Disco

Having to care for Disco and her brood, along with the other ducklings is a lot of messy work. 

Ducks love a mucky hole to dabble in, can make a real mess of your lawn ! 

The pleasure and joy of observing them, with the photo opportunities as well. 

The dedication of Disco with her 6th brood in the care of the Trust, is great to watch!  Short video below.

Ducklings

 Settled sunny weather has arrived just in time for Disco's ducklings to enjoy the pool and garden. 

Saffron is not too happy about the ducklings and has been stopped from attacking them by a very protective Disco. 

Keeping the fast growing yellow ducklings away from them means time slots for the use of the pool. 

Meanwhile the Harbour siblings are now down to 4 having lost 2 in the past week, they are out of danger from herring gulls and almost too big for the Crows now. 

Slim is attentive as ever, waiting on Sue.  Short video of ducklings  preening below.

Disco's Dark Secret

 Disco, the Trust disabled duck has finally hatched her latest  brood. 

Pleased to announce that one of her ten ducklings is a yellow one ! 

This proves that Ebony the Drake carries the gene responsible, and has passed it on. 

Some of the non Yellow ducklings will also carry the gene which is good news for the future river duck population, as these yellow ducklings will show up for years to come. 

We now have 6, counting Saffron... and she is also sitting on a clutch fathered by Ebony. I fully expect at least half of them should be Yellow beauties as well.

The Trust has given them a chance, all of them will be released to the River in due course.

A Taste Of Freedom

Beautiful sunny day was ideal for allowing the month old Yellow ducklings, a little taste of freedom.

 With Disco and Saffron both sitting on eggs, and having returned Ebony and Newbie to the river, it was safe for the ducklings to explore the garden and pond. 

Short video below.

Looking Familiar

Was time to introduce the Yellow ducklings to the garden, and let them meet their older brother and sister. 

Saffron was intrigued as she has heard them squeaking from the garage coop for some time. 

They share the same parentage with Saffron being hatched last August. Ebony has spent the whole time trying to attack them, as he considers the garden belonging to him.

   Had to keep them contained for their own safety meanwhile. Disco is due to hatch her brood this coming week, and she will take priority.