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Swan Watch Jul 2024

    Summer Fun

    Over the past two months the FIVE cygnets have thrived and grown in size, spending their days paddling about on the pond with their parents – or preening on the grassy embankment while soaking up the rays!

    Sadly, on Tuesday morning 2nd  July, only FOUR cygnets were seen – one appears to have mysteriously “disappeared”. Despite extensive searches, it was never found.

    Also spotted on the pond were lots of Mallard ducklings, a handful of Tufted ducklings, some Little Grebe chicks, and the ever-present gulls.

    At last, the adult swans have names! At the 16th July FECH AGM the winning entries for the Swan Naming Competition were: DOTTY and ERIC.

    Dotty – from Dottyville, the nickname given by the war poet Siegfried Sassoon to the Craiglockhart War Hospital.

    Eric – after the Scottish 1924 Olympic gold medallist, Eric Liddellwho trained on the Edinburgh University playing fields at Craiglockhart.

    Thanks to all who entered – it wasn’t an easy choice with so many good entries received.