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 is following the cygnets' progress for us.

Sunday, July 12:

The three cygnets are two months old and maturing fast. On the grass at the edge of Station Yard car park, they peck hungrily at some grain left by a member of the public.

Their mother preens constantly loosening some large feathers. She flaps her wings, revealing a thinning of the underside of her plumage. She is moulting and will be unable to fly for about six weeks. A breeding pair would normally moult at different times, due to the vulnerability of being without flight feathers .

One of the cygnets is smaller than the other two. Studying their faces, I reckon the littlest is female, the larger two, one of each. But no science at work here! Their father is absent.

Friday, July 17:

The swans are hanging out at one of their favourite spots, by a willow tree near the car park. The pen is feeding with her young. Only two cygnets are visible; one of the larger ones and the littlest. Could the third be on the water with dad? I look through the willow leaves but cannot see them.

As I watch the pair of cygnets on the grass, I notice how the wings are still very small in proportion to their bodies; it looks an effort to carry weight as they plod a few steps forward, before collapsing to the ground to feed.

The smaller one looks at me and then hisses. That’s a first! I’m glad it is wary, I move away.

The youngsters waddle to the bank and flop onto the water, followed by mum.

They appear at ease with their neighbours the mallards; they too will moult, the drakes losing their colourful plumage, looking more like females for a time.

I wonder if anyone has seen the cob or the third cygnet. I ask around. The last sighting of the male was about a week ago.

Ted tells me it has been known for a youngster to separate from its siblings and go exploring with a parent, but we’re beginning to think another cygnet has been lost.

A family of foxes has recently been sighted near the river at Park Road, so it’s possible the young swan has been predated in order to feed the two cubs. I’m still hoping however that it will turn up with its dad and we’ll see a reunited family.

Sunday, July 19:

At the usual spot by the car park, the pen is sitting on the grass with the two cygnets, pecking at the ground retrieving grain. No cob present. On a willow branch above, two pigeons lock beaks, pecking amorously before doing what comes naturally to a pair of love birds!

I look towards the river; through the willow fronds, a white bird glides into view, revealing itself to be the elusive adult swan. So the cob is alive and well! Is the third cygnet with him? I look around hoping for a happy ending to this latest episode.

Not to be, it is certain then, another cygnet has been lost. Only two out of the original nine have survived thus far.

As the cob walks up the bank and onto the grass, I am surprised to see the cygnets go over to greet him, sitting close by. Usually they don’t take much notice.

Then it dawns on me; and checking the sizes of the knobs on the beaks, I realise, it’s the pen that has emerged from the water. Mum’s presence is clearly favoured at this stage.

The swans head downstream towards the weir, stopping to feed by the bank. The cygnets rip up long grass, tossing their heads from side to side, repeatedly smacking their beaks to get the food down their necks. I recall how they struggled to tear off even the tiniest of blades in the early days of life.

It’s good to witness their progress, and growing independence. As each day passes, these two young survivors are getting bigger and stronger.

They have a good chance now to make it into adulthood. Let’s hope it goes that way!

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

The swans and their somewhat larger brood near the weir earlier this year