The first cygnet of the year has hatched a fortnight earlier than usual at Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset.
The first chick to emerge is a traditional sign of the start of summer, something that normally happens in mid-May.
Benedictine monks have looked after the swans since the 14th century, keeping records which date back to 1393. The first egg to hatch in a nest usually prompts the other cygnets to emerge and soon there are expected to be up to 1,000 baby swans on about 140 nests.
3 comments:
What a fascinating article.
I thought you would like it when I spotted it. Last week I looked at a swan's nest but I saw no eggs.
This deserves at least "a sygnet ring" in response....
(i'll get me coat......)
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