As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Saturday 8 June 2013

Lone mother swan struggling to bring up her flock

Mute swan single mother bringing up the kids on her own

June 2013.  Mute swans are reasonably common and widespread across the UK, but we have not had one on our local pond since we have been here (10 years) until 2013. Earlier this year, a pair took up residence, and duly produced a clutch of eggs amongst the vegetation on the small island. 

Tragically, shortly after the eggs were laid, the male (Cob) swan flew into some overhead cables and was killed, leaving the mother (Pen) to look after her eggs and then to bring up the cygnets by herself. 

EARLY MAY, SITTING ON THE EGGS - A

 JOB SHE HAS HAD TO ALONE FOR NEARLY 6 WEEKS

 
So far, the pen has proved an exemplary mother, hatching all 8 eggs (on about 17th May) and managing to keep all of her cygnets alive for the first 2 weeks.


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