The happiest swans in Brownhills.

The unlucky in love Swans of Catshill.












There have been a pair of swans nesting during the spring on the Wyrley Essington canal for some years now. I have often walked past them and admired their splendour and steadfastness as they incubate their eggs.

After watching them last year i was alerted to the fact that they were unsuccessful in their attempts to start a family. I was also informed they had been unsuccessful in their previous attempts. This was a surprise to me, as i had always assumed they had hatched and fled the nest. A renowned local blogger (Brownhills Bob Bobs blog here.,) had been keeping an eye on the situation and express his concerns that they may be barren again. With Bobs huge following a expectant audience kept an eager eye on the situation.




The nest was on a route that i have been walking almost every evening for the last 3 months.

I took every opportunity to take photos as i walked past the nest.












Photo taken two days before we had confirmation of the chicks 6 May.


Much to my wifes irritation on the 6th May i stood and watched the sitting bird for a good half hour with camera at the ready. On the previous visit i had seen the bird rolling the eggs beneath her. My patience paid off as the swan lifted its leg and wing just enough for me to take a snap. I was sure i glimpsed a chick beneath her, but had to go home and look at the photo in more detail.









This is the photo where i thought i could see evidence of chicks.


I could see what i thought was part of a chick, however my wife disagreed.






The following evening we were unable to go for a walk, much to my annoyance. We did however get to go the next evening.






On the 8th May, as we neared the swans nest we could see clearly the nest was now vacated. This was worrying as we thought they would have been in the nest still, even if they had hatched. My heart sank as we got closer, there was no sight of the swans. Suddenly out of the rushes on the opposite side of the canal came one of the adults. Then....... one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight signets followed by the other adult.


YES, success at the fourth attempt for these beautiful birds.









I don't know about ugly Ducklings, they are so cute.

























Back to the nest with mom and dad.


























These Ducks had built their nest 1ft from the swans nest. They hatched four days earlier, but stuck around for the protection offered by the swans.


This was a story with a happy ending for the swans and a warm feeling for the many who were following the swans progress.

Brownhills Bob, announced the news here to the masses who follow his blog. The news was met with much relief by all. Its so nice that these birds who pair for life have at last met their goal of extending their blood line into a new generation of Beautiful swans.