After more than a month of nesting, five cygnets have joined the spring brigade of millpond newbies. One of the park’s regulars told me the dad’s name is King Arthur and the mom is Guenevere. The names seem appropriate so I’ll stick with them. The King is the pond’s bully. Ever since Guenevere began nesting, he’s patrolled the area and not let any geese nest within 750 feet.
But the King also has an appetite and visits the south end of the pond to beg humans to feed him. His hunger encouraged him to introduce the whole family to me on Memorial Day. He came on shore first and liked the duck chow I tossed to him so the rest of the family felt safe to come closer. Both parents stayed between me and the kids. The kids never left the safety of the water.
I suspect the whole family will trek to the southern end of the pond soon so the parents can teach them the finer art of convincing humans to toss them tidbits. Once the cygnets are as big as the adult ducks (not long!), defending them won’t be an issue. The pond’s turtles, however, are a major threat. The number of cygnets that will reach adulthood is still an unanswered question.
[...] male mute swan at the millpond, who I’m told is named King Arthur, still likes to defend his territory from Canada geese even though his two remaining cygnets are [...]
[...] Arthur (above, on left) and his royal family? In a way, I hope it isn’t. They started with five cygnets last June, but only two survived. One of those lost a toe and all webbing on its right foot to [...]
[...] mound. Lying on its stomach with its wings relaxed and neck fully extended, the surviving cygnet of the five born this summer lay dead. The cause of its death isn’t apparent. There are no marks on it and appeared [...]