First cygnets of 2021 are born at Abbotsbury Swannery

It was a race against time, but despite the recent floods and high winds, Abbotsbury Swannery’s first cygnets of 2021 have arrived safely.

The hatching of the first cygnet traditionally heralds the start of summer.

The first youngster hatched from the eggs in nest number two, oblivious to amount of drama that had preceded their arrival.

It was all hands on deck for staff at the swannery staff in the days beforehand, as exceptionally high spring tides threatened to flood the nesting area where the swan pairs have been tending their eggs.

To avoid disaster, the team had to quickly raise and reinforce the most vulnerable nests before they became overwhelmed.

Steve Groves, swanherd at Abbotsbury Swannery, said: “We had to move fast to lift the eggs, add extra bundles of nesting material and put stakes round about 15 of the lowest and most exposed nests, but thankfully all survived.

The birth of the first cygnet traditionally marks the beginning of the summer Picture: Charlie Wheeler Photography

“It’s always a special sight to see the first cygnets hatch and it will be so nice to welcome visitors back to the swannery this year for the hatching season and to watch the youngsters growing up over the summer.

“It seemed so sad that we were the only ones to witness this wonderful spectacle last year.”

There are more than 80 nests at the swannery this year and hundreds of cygnets are expected over the coming weeks.

The Swannery is the only place in the world where visitors can walk through a colony of mute swans and enjoy seeing the cygnets grow throughout the season.

The hatching continues during May and June and the youngsters develop into teenagers between July and October. By September, the young swans will be making their first attempts at learning to fly.

The recent bad weather threatened to flood the nesting*rea at the swannery Picture: Charlie Wheeler Photography

The swans lay their eggs at two day intervals and hatching takes place 35 days after the final egg of the clutch has been laid.

The swanherd and his staff feed the adult swans on wheat grains while the cygnets are fed daily on chick crumb, a crushed pellet full of protein, and grass cuttings. Their parents also find natural foods for their cygnets such as algae, water-weeds and grubs.

Visitors can walk safely among the nests while hundreds of cygnets are hatching out on to the paths.

The Swannery is open every day from 10am to 5pm. Advance booking is essential. For more information visit www.abbotsburyswannery.co.uk