As I was circumnavigating the lake, I came across this gentleman feeding the swans. He was giving them 'proper' swan food and not bread. He said he came up nearly every day, and the birds were obviously so used to him that they were feeding from his hand. There were two mature mute swans and the rest (about seven altogether) appeared to be younger. The five in the photo that are still sporting brownish plumage will be this year's cygnets. Two with white feathers but pale beaks might be last year's brood. They all looked quite big but when the adult pushed in a few minutes later, that was even bigger - and had a much more orange beak. It was quite amusing. It seemed to be holding back for a while letting the younger ones feed and then, deciding they'd had their fair share, muscled in and kept nipping them on the neck and pushing them out of the way!
It was heart-warming to see them, and the feeding routine might be helping them survive, who knows? I don't think you often see a clutch of as many as five survive to adulthood, though maybe having the island in the middle of the lake gives them a safe sanctuary, compared to the swans that nest along the canal.
We have a bird man near our little lake here also...he feeds the Canada Geese and mallards which we have, usually in abundance. However the Park department has made efforts to diminish the bird population so they don't leave their favorite calling card, which people don't like to step in.
ReplyDeleteThey are such gorgeous birds. That is a kind man.
ReplyDeleteHe does a good thing for them.
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