Yesterday we stopped by Hatchetts Pond on our way home from walking the dogs. The Swan family was way over the other side of the pond, but the sun had come out and it was drying our wet clothes , so we decided to have an Ice cream. We were just about to leave when we noticed a solitary cygnet at the back of the carpark.He looked very forlorn , but we persuaded him to go back down to the pond thinking he had just got separated from the family. The Cob who had been ignoring the people who were feeding the gulls (This was very unusual as he is very greedy) steamed across the pond , feathers puffed up intent on attacking the little cygnet. The little cygnet fled across the carpark and hid. Some holiday makers told us that they had been at the pond two days ago when they saw the cob trying to drown one of the cygnets. The cygnet did not seem sick or injured just very frightened. We tried ringing the Forestry Commission to speak to a keeper , but when they seemed disinterested and unable to give us the number of Swan Rescue we decided to get it ourselves. A quick phone call to Karens Husband and we had the number.They said they would send some one out.meanwhile the poor little cygnet was being worried by some dogs, someone picked the cygnet up and another person had a box so we were able to keep him safe. Eventually a Forestry Commission Keeper arrived , having been alerted by Swan rescue and took the cygnet away.
Today I rang Swan Rescue and was told that they had the cygnet, there appears to be nothing wrong with it and in the Autumn when it can fly they will release it at Christchurch. Until then it is being kept with several other rescued cygnets and will be looked after.
If you remember back in May I told you there was another Swan family at the other end of the lake with three cygnets and Swan rescue told me that the cygnets had been killed by this same cob and they had to relocate the Parents. Sadly this is normal behaviour for Swans when a pair invades anothers territory, however swans are normally good parents and they do not know why this cob should now attack its own cygnet. Yesterday there were only 5 cygnets with the parents so another one is missing, because there were 7. Swan rescue are keeping an eye on the situation anyway because they had to remove a fishing hook from the Pens foot about a week ago.
There were plenty of ponies down at the pond trying to scounge food off the tourists. There is a penalty for feeding the ponies as it encourages them to congregate near cars and on the roads. Sadly many tourists ignore this and the ponies can become a nuisance in the popular spots. more seriously if they stay near the roads they are knocked down and killed.
The seven cygnets are doing well and have grown a lot since our last visit.
It was very bsy around the pond today and their were several dogs running lose and playing in the water near the swans. The cob was guarding his family.
All seven little cygnets are doing well and growing fast. they are now about 6 weeks old.
There are also plenty of waterlilies, white , pale pink and a deeper pink covering the smaller ponds.
This rather bedraggled juvenile Jackdaw was perched in a tree, he didn't seem to be able to fly too well and I wonder if he will survive.
Taivas Missy and Raffles pose on our early morning walk. it was very warm and sunny at 8am this morning.
On our way home we stopped off at Hatchetts moor Pond to see the lilies and watch the damsel and dragon flies. There was no sign of the little swan family and I think they must have relocated them somewhere away from the other swan family.
On the main pond the seven cygnets are all doing welland the attentive parents were close by
This afternoon we went back to the pond to see if we could get some photos of the cygnets
We walked round the pond until we could see the Cygnets in the reeds , we waited and waited and eventually they came up on to the bank
The swans are very good parents keeping constant guard over their 7 little cygnets
They are just so adorable
Our Morning walk was along Dockens Water starting from South bentley. it was warm and sunny. I was pleased with the shot of the horses going over the little bridge.
Donkeys
