Hiya. I'm swan-watching too, there's a pair that have nested for a few years now at a small marina near my office, I wander down there at lunchtimes to have a look at them. Last year they hatched 5 cygnets, I watched them grow, and then they were gone.

Swans mate for life, and from what I've seen of the pair I've been observing, I think it's the same one on the nest each time, but I couldn't be sure.

The information here suggests it's the female who incubates the eggs.

Don't get too close to them, or the male will attack you.

Voyeurs.

Great frist post! You are SO lucky to live with teh wildlife.

sadly we only have white ones here... you people across the pond are so lucky!

Watch this space for 'OMG Cygnets!!!'

Aww, swans. Second that advice about not getting too close to them, though -- they can get mean when protecting their young.

the nice thing is that everyone in the flats has been feeding them since the nest went up - bits of bread, chapattis, etc.

(I forgot about the black ones that we also have here - but they're rare and only found in a couple of places here)

they can get plenty fierce even when they're not nesting, believe me... getting to our front door can often involve much hissing.

OMG Cygnets!!!

Can't wait!

Wow, how cool!

Me, I only have ducks and ducklings. I've seen two hatchings so far (18-20 ducklings). These photos are from last year.

awwwwwww! what cutie ducklings! *sigh* and all we have are mating cardinals and doves. keep us posted, alto!