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Psilos
Bird Photography |
Mute Swan ( Cygnus olor ) |
Mute swans are the largest and I think
the most beautiful of all our native wildfowl. They are one of seven
species of swan from around the world. Whereever there is a lake or
a slow moving river there is bound to be a pair of swans. The male swan
is called the cob, the female the pen. People think that they mate for
life but this is incorrect. The cob will usually have many mates throughout
its lifetime. |
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In order to keep their feathers in good
condition swans, as well as all other birds, have to spend large amounts
of time preening and bathing. The photo below shows how the mute swan
does it. |
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and here is the same swan testing that his
wings are indeed in first class condition. |
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From the ring on this birds leg (above)
it was found that it had been rescued in 2003 in the canal by Liverpool
Cathedral and treated for suspected lead poisoning. In January 2006
it is still fit and well in the same area on Crosby Marina. |
Swans are very timid and secretive when
it comes to nesting. They tend to make their huge nest in reed beds
or anywhere that there is some cover. Swans do not begin to breed until
at least 3 years old. Breeding begins from March-May. A typical nest
can be seen in the photo below. Normally 3-7 eggs are laid at 2 day
intervals. Incubation does not start though until the whole clutch is
laid. At this time the male becomes very territorial and will get very
aggressive is anyone approaches too close to the nest. All that it takes
then is to wait........ |
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