A PAIR of swans have once again nested near the weir at Station Yard, Malmesbury, and nature lovers who have witnessed previous dramas are concerned about the safety of the babies.

LIZ BRADLEY follows the cygnets' progress and reflects on past dramas.

In spring 2013 I was taking photographs of the swans, when a cygnet was swept over the weir in the rush of water.

I swam across the river to retrieve it, supervised by Ray Hood from Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre.

Ray is called out several times each year to the Station Yard site.

He said: “I keep an eye on the progress of the family. 

"Last spring a cygnet got tangled up in debris at the top of the weir and died."

Diana Gray, who regularly walks her dogs at the site, witnessed the scene

“The adult swans were at the bottom of the weir; the babies at the top,” she said.

“Eventually the cygnets started to plop over the weir, and my heart was in my mouth.

“One got stuck on the weir, trying to get back to its siblings. It was so very sad. It must have run out of energy.

“They are so resilient, such amazing little things, and the pen and the cob do a supreme job looking after them.

“We are all so protective of them.”.

That season five of the seven hatchlings made it to adulthood.

Over the years there have been several nesting sites along this stretch of water; including one at the bottom of Ted and Pam Hall’s garden.

The couple from Gloucester Road recalled how one year a nest was destroyed by mink.

“The hatchlings lasted less than a day,” Pam said.

“It was terrible to find the nest empty in the morning, covered in blood and feathers.”

The couple admitted to feeling quite involved in the lives of the swan families.

On occasion Ted would wade in to the water and fish out stranded cygnets, reuniting them with the parents, whilst Pam and a neighbour used to count the babies in each night.

So what has been happening in the current nest?

Tuesday, May 12: A phone call from Pam Hall. “Ted has counted five cygnets.” The hatching has begun!

Wednesday, May 13: All nine cygnets have emerged, and are doing well. Onlookers are smiling and taking photographs. The babies are climbing on mum’s back, huddling under her wing, and clambering over twigs close to the edge!

Thursday, May 14, 8am: The parents call the babies onto the water. Seven follow, but two, despite mum’s persistant calling, remain at the base of the nest. A short swim and it's back home.

Friday, May 15: Two cygnets have perished over night. The body of one lies near its mother. She looks at it from time to time. The cob guards the site from the water. People are speculating on what may have taken the cygnet; rats, foxes, mink. One local man commented on the size of the pike in the river.

In the afternoon the family swims to a site at Park Road. The young watch the parents pulling up grasses from shallow waters, and constructing what looks like a reed bed. They appear keen to be involved.

Saturday: May 16: Seven healthy cygnets spend the day messing about on the river, and resting in the nest.

Sunday: May 17: This morning the whole family have gone over the weir but are swimming safely. The parents climb a steep bank and call to their young. The cygnets are unable to get out. The adults return to the water, looking for alternative routes.

Later they forge a way through long grasses and thick foliage.

I count them as they emerge; one, two, three, four, five, six. I wait… seven!

They toddle in a line across the car park between mum and dad and return to the river.

Monday, May 18, 10am: It has been raining heavily. The pen is on the nest. No cygnets are visible. The dead cygnet is gone. The pen’s wings are spread, suggesting she is sheltering her young.

Eventually one pokes its head through her wing feathers, then another. Two are alive. I wait patiently.

With relief I watch seven healthy cygnets climb off the nest and swim away.

7pm: Two adults and seven babies settle down on the nest.

Good luck, swans. We are all rooting for you!