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Chilly for June is an understatement, todays northerly wind was numbing as I waited for a chance to see our Cygnets.
The Rapport I have with Sue allowed me to visit the nest site from a suitable distance of course. The northerly wind was relentless blowing straight onto the nest as she kept the cygnets under cover. Slim did the fatherly thing by standing between me and the precious nest.
The tide was coming in and after an hour I was numb and about to give up, when Sue decided to take the cygnets for a dip.
Finally I can confirm that we have 4 very healthy cygnets. This follows her mother Penny, the first lot she had in 2008 was also 4 cygnets.
I am delighted to see a successful first hatch for Slim and Sue, so well deserved after the interruption to their mating season by the other pair a couple of months ago.
The chances are they would have laid more eggs if not for the challenge they had during courtship.
However, their future is bright and I have no doubt we will see much bigger broods like her mother before her.
Conditions on the river are still bad for the swans, with high water and lack of access to weed.
Sustenance by way of the Trust provisions of feed, and even appropriate feeding for the cygnets to keep them going until the conditions improve.
Hope my viewers appreciate the short footage below of them leaving the nest, After waiting an hour the strength of the wind was numbing, which I think you can see on the clip....Enjoy !
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.
Our new generation Swans Slim and Sue are preparing for the arrival of their offspring.
A change in the weather to unseasonal strong winds and arctic air are not the best conditions for the upcoming event.
High tides are no worries this week, and Slim is on hand to take the lead in due course.
Meanwhile Sue is snuggling down and no doubt feeling and hearing the activities below....wont be long now !
Glorious weather and the final stages of incubation for Slim and Sue's first clutch. Being a month behind Penny's usual nesting time, the island vegetation has now dwarfed the nest. Sue now sits surrounded by sweet Cicely and wild grasses. Nice camouflage and shelter, but will obscure our first glimpse of the hatched cygnets.
However I have been working on the Moat and earth ramp to accommodate their trip to the water when they arrive.
My relationship and trust with Slim and Sue has blossomed, with my daily feeds and moat work visits.
After the demise of Duke, and all the recent doom and gloom, it's nice to see brilliant sunshine and an easing of the Lockdown.
Disco and her ducklings are happily oblivious to the woes of the world, and enjoying a dip in the pool, see below.
Sadly I have to report that Duke was put to sleep today. When I picked him up out of the Harbour earlier, he was already on a downhill journey, he was underweight and listless and was not interested in eating at all. I had arranged with the SPCA and Moray coast Vets to give him an examination to determine the best course of action.
The conclusion was in his best interests to be put to sleep. He had lost his left eye and had other underlying health issues, his ability to survive was untenable.
This was the third time in the 4 years on the river that I had to get him to the Vets. The previous two occasions he was sent to the SPCA centre at Fishcross where he was treated successfully.
He fathered one brood of seven with Penny in 2018, so some of him lives on. He was one of the friendliest swans ever, and I will miss him.
Had a close look at Duke yesterday evening while he was resting. He has been reluctant to put his head under water to feed and this rings alarm bells for his survival. I will have him taken to the Vet tomorrow to see what can be done.
Looks like he has been in a fight and was hit on the side of the head, affecting his hearing and eyesight. Unless the vets can do something, his long term survival is now in doubt.
Disco's brood are growing fast and virtually double in size every week. At 3 weeks old they are much larger than any ducklings on the river of the same age, due to feeding of course.
Disco is always keeping a close attentive watch on them, quick to threaten any jackdaws or pigeons that come close.
Meanwhile Sue sits on her clutch as the vegetation grows around her, a good windbreak for todays blustery winds.
Duke is still hiding in the harbour - with good reason, I discovered when he spread his wings that he has some damaged and missing flight feathers, making him unable to fly ! Looks like he has been in a few scrapes and now at a dangerous disadvantage. Swans tend to threaten but rarely come to blows, as one of them usually backs off and fly away.
Poor Duke cannot do this, so has resorted to hiding among the Boats and Pontoons in the harbour. He will not grow new feathers until he moults later in the Summer so I will have him moved to a safe location for the benefit of all.
Last Saturday I was told about another Swan in the harbour, so went to investigate. A bedraggled Swan saw me and immediately approached, trying to scale the harbour wall. I knew right away that it was one of our previous Swans.
However with the unkempt appearance I did not realise that it was in fact Duke, having disappeared with penny on the 8th of March.
In his weakened state I fed him for the past few days and tried to encourage him back out to Sea. Successful once but he has since returned. His condition has improved.
Slim knows he is hiding in the harbour between the boats, and awaits the chance to chase him away. Sadly there is no sign of Penny and wonder what has happened to her ! My feeling is that she is OK in a flock and maybe even has another mate! Anyhow there can be no way Duke can remain in the river or harbour now, as the territory has been ceded to Slim and Sue, expecting cygnets in a few weeks.
If slim does not succeed in chasing him away by next week, I will have to have him relocated perhaps to Findhorn where he most likely came from. Averting the tragic events of 2007 when the original Popeye and Penny were attacked in the Harbour and all their cygnets were killed must be avoided at all costs ! Meanwhile the Trust asks people not to feed Duke to discourage him from staying.
Two weeks old and full of the joys, the ducklings enjoy some duckin and divin ! video below.
One thing about a large brood of Ducklings - they are an extremely cuddly bunch !
I am particularly pleased for the lost duckling that now has 14 brothers and sisters - as well as a fantastic Mum !
With slightly warmer conditions, and change in wind direction, Sue got a chance to leave the nest for a break.
After a welcome feed and Slim minding the nest, she had a good bath and preen during a brief sunny spell.
Both of them are hand in glove, and doing everything right, just as Penny and Popeye did.
Maintaining the Moat has been vital to their welfare, especially during low water conditions.
Short video below.
Meanwhile Disco is taking advantage of the warmer conditions too, sunning her ducklings in the garden.
