The Lightship Family II

Each time the pen rose of her nest to turn her eggs it became clear that two of the eggs were showing signs of cracking, the little fluff of flesh inside was beginning to peck its way out.

Then the cob came into join his partner.

It then became clear that the shell had cracked open in half and the signet was looking to make entry into the world and the beak of the adult swan was there assist.

........ it was hard to imagine what was emerging could have life in it, but the parents beak persisted in helping the little life form to make its entry ...

She had to reposition herself and gradually the life form took on more form .... is that a head that can be seen there emerging?

Even the first born appears to give a helping nudge with his beak!

At one point the cob with his feathers all puffed out raised his neck and made a short sharp snort of approval. Mute swans rarely made a sound but that snort certainly was a sign of his affection and approval of what was going on!!

Once the new signet had emerged from the egg she once more sat on her eggs and placed her wing over her new addition to offer it warmth and shelter from its new world.

This was quickly followed by similar maneuvering of the beak to release the second egg that had shown signs if an emerging life. Once released she once again sat back down on her nest and both parents tried to pull in soft materials to reinforce their nest for their new born.

It had been amazing to watch this, but I think what had been most striking for me about the whole process was the intimacy and closeness of both parent swans as they welcomed their new brood into their company.