Intrigue on the Pond!
1st March is the start of meteorological spring, and much to everyone’s surprise (especially the resident four swans Dotty, Eric, and their two cygnets), FIVE visiting swans flew in and claimed squatter’s rights!
The five were a young dark grey/brown cygnet, two older almost white cygnets, and two sub-adult swans. That meant NINE swans on the pond. However, during mid-April, SIX more arrived – making FIFTEEN swans in total by the end of the month!
Eric constantly chases them off the pond onto dry land, but no direct attacks have been seen yet, just intimidation and “Get off my pond!” chasing. There were no tags or rings on the visitors, so no way of telling where they came from. Did they all arrive together? Are they all part of the same grouping?
24th March: 6 eggs were spotted in the nest, with Dotty keeping them warm and safe, Eric nearby on patrol, keeping the other swans off the water.
8th/9th May: 7 cygnets were hatched. One sadly died, leaving six hale and hearty – well looked after and protected by Dotty and Eric.
Between 16th and 19th May, four “visitors” departed, and by Monday 19th the rest had flown off, leaving the pond once more for Dotty, Eric and their cygnets to enjoy – along with the ducklings, “cootlings” and moorhen chicks. Peace and serenity have returned to the Pond!