Swan update from Mallards Lake

Keeping a watching brief over the many youngsters on the lakes tells the sorry but inevitable tale. Numbers are dwindling. On a previous blip, there were 5 cygnets, today down to three. Both parents here were keeping a close eye on their brood as they cropped the grass. Hopefully, these three will make it through.

We were talking to a lady who has been taking a keen interest in the swans on Mallards Lake. She said that it was the original female that lost her mate a couple of years ago.  She left the lake but came back with a new partner. Apparently, 8 chicks hatched. This was down to 5 when we first saw them. She reckoned the loss was due partly to natural causes and partly due to human action. The family were often taken to the adjacent River Len where fast flowing currents could whisk an unwary chick away. But she said that she'd seen both adults and young chased by dogs which may well have caught and killed the youngsters. I can accept the first but not the second.

Good afternoon at the allotment. Compare the shot in extras with the one taken a couple of weeks ago. Had the first peas of the season for dinner.