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.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/swan-cygnets.html