Following the death of their second cygnet, the swan family retreated into the heavy vegetation at the north end of the millpond and started ripping out plants with submerged roots to clear a small area and build a platform above the water. Note the height of the platform (above) and compare its height two days later in the video (below). It seems implausible they are building a “fort” to protect their remaining cygnet from turtle attacks or a nest for more eggs, but it appears they are doing one or the other of those things. Here’s a 18-second clip showing one parent adding more plants to the platform while the other perches atop it with their offspring. There’s lots of road noise in the background since this is so close to well-traveled Grand River Avenue.
Doug, you’ve added a whole new dimension with these videos.
This one, for example, explodes one’s vision of swans serenely gliding across the water. This parent is working like the devil – look at that long strong neck yanking plants around! It’s a FAMILY in survival mode! Few people see the millpond residents as an insider like you.
Except for us privileged to follow you around!
Thanks, Barb. The swans were continuing to build on Saturday evening although by the time I left the pond after dark, they were floating around with their cygnet in the open water. I’m really not sure what’s going on. From what I’ve read online, if they’re nesting again, it usually takes 3 weeks to build the nest and then another 45 days or so to lay eggs and incubate them. Once young are born, it’s about four months for them to be able to fly so it would be mid-November. That’s would be very late for them to find winter territory, but I’m sure they could find open water somewhere nearby. Last year, the parents never left so maybe they will just stick around. I doubt we’ll have the same mild winter this next year so it could get dicey.
I too am enjoying the videos, Doug. Don’t even notice the traffic noise, but then I live on a busy street. Sweet Pea would love it! :-)
I hope the last cygnet makes it. It was disturbing to learn of the other two.
I’m glad both of you like the videos. My digital camera has that capability but I rarely think about using it. Since the flash doesn’t work with it, I have to be at the pond early enough to have enough light to use it. YouTube makes it very easy to upload them so I’ll try to remember to shoot more of them.