Checking the eggs

This was just as I arrived with JH at Blackford Pond on an impromptu walk - I met her as I was posting my vote and dealing with some recycling. I could count seven eggs which I think is what others have said the total is when Mum swan has been off the nest. There is now a sign asking people to keep dogs on leads, but there were two dogs off the lead just by the nest. Mum swan didn't seem perturbed, but I expect Dad swan will be around when the cygnets have hatched and things could get nasty for dogs - and possibly for cygnets too, of course. I did hear that a dog was killed by swans at Blackford Pond some years ago, so not the current pair.