Our majestic mute swans, of Kingfisher Pools, have made their decision on where to nest this week and settled into their breeding season. It's always fascinating to watch them as they decide on a spot, build, sit, protect, feed and nurture their brood each year.
The survival of cygnets to adulthood is naturally fraught with danger. 22% of baby swans die in their second week (swanlife) through bad weather, starvation, accident or predation. In a large brood, the slowest and weakest can be judged as jeopardising the family, so may be chased away or even killed by the cob. While sad, this is nature working as it should; keeping the mute swan population strong and self-regulated.
Where I struggle is when human intervention effects wildlife...
Poisoning - 2014
The whole family was rescued from the pools and looked after at a sanctuary in Droitwich, while the cob was treated for lead poisoning. Thankfully, he recovered and the pair, with their eight cygnets, were returned and had a successful year.
Theft - 2019
This was a tragic year, when a local resident witnessed the sitting pen being lifted from her nest by a gang. While it is possible for a male to take over and rear cygnets alone, this year the whole brood failed and the cob looked totally lost. The local angling shop were quick to state that they haven't sold lead weights for years, it was never discovered where the poison came from.
Success - 2020
Possibly helped by Lockdown and fair weather, 2020 produced 9 cygnets - all surviving. I'm not sure whether the old cob had found a replacement partner or whether this was a new pair, but it was heart-warming to see such a huge family after the sad year before.
Uncertainty - 2021
This was very interesting. On the 16th March, 8 eggs were spotted and all was well. On the 28th March it was reported that all the eggs had disappeared. Theories came thick and fast - predation from fox or mink? Theft by humans? 'Bad' eggs being thrown out of the nest by the adults? It was soon discovered, to our relief, that the eggs were absolutely fine and had just been buried under the reeds! A clever trick by the parents, while away from their nest. Once hatched, however, it was not such a happy story, with only two surviving cygnets by mid May, from the eight hatched.
So, what will 2022 bring in our local soap opera? Kingfisher Pool is now busy again with anglers, joggers, dog-walkers and our little Warwick 100 team. The swans don't seem to mind and we look forward to seeing how their family fares this year.
Lizzy
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