Swans and their family (2)

This is the second post of my swan story in picture. Incubation has been progressing for some 5 weeks now and very soon everything will change, I am sure. These birds have infinite patience when you consider the length of time they spend incubating their eggs. Watching them on an almost daily basis, I have come to appreciate how much time they invest in raising a family. Amazing.

On the 5th May, a quick check, no youngsters yet.

Then, on the 8th May, this is the scene that greeted me as I approached the nest - 2 cygnets!

Later, the same morning as I passed again, there were 3 cygnets.

On the 10th, the cygnets had taken to the water. As one of the adults approached the nest, there was another one hatched!

The adult swan arrives back with five cygnets in tow. So, a total of six altogether, so far. However, I only ever saw five on the water, so one vanished in the meantime, and the remaining eggs are still there.

`These swimming lessons really do tire one out`

On the 15th May we were treated to the family arriving on the river in front of our bungalow. They all gratefully accepted some food thrown in the river. It was really funny seeing the cygnets trying to dive!

Father (I think) did get onto the bank as he is used to doing at that point. When they had had their fill, mother took the cygnets home for the night and father, after a short display, joined them. It has been a real privilege to watch the progress of these beautiful birds in their journey to parenthood.

Other mornings the family make their way to our neighbours lawn. Then, while mum and dad go to tap on the patio windows, the youngsters make themselves comfortable on the lawn!

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Swans and their family (1)

In the early part of this year, a pair of Mute Swans settled on the river near our home. The mute swan is a very large white waterbird and has a long S-shaped neck and an orange bill with a black base and a black knob. It flies with its neck extended and regular, slow wingbeats. You certainly can`t miss it`s distinctive wing beat when they are approaching!

The population in the UK has increased recently, perhaps due to better protection of this species. The problem of lead poisoning on lowland rivers has also largely been solved by a ban on the sale of lead fishing weights. Some birds stay in their territories all year, while others move short distances and form winter flocks. In cold weather, some birds arrive from Europe into eastern England.

Over the months of February and March, we were treated to the spectacle of the swan pair and some Canada geese, arriving on our neighbours patio for feed. The swans eventually were so used to turning up for a feed, that they would, if no feed was visible, go up to the door and tap hard for attention! Swans eat aquatic vegetation, which their long necks equip them to take from the riverbed. They take the molluscs which cling to the vegetation and also eat small fish, frogs and worms but will graze big grassy fields, and can survive quite successfully in a field of short-cropped grass.

So, the pair started nest building at the beginning of March. Nest taking shape, and `just trying it out for size`. This image on 15th March.

By 21st March the first egg appeared.

..... and more building was taking place, as the water level rose a bit. Just to make it more secure I guess.

Swans appear to take it in turns to incubate the eggs and this pair were just swapping roles here. One paddled off upstream while the other ....

...  settling down for an hour or two.

On 26th March I saw 4 eggs in the nest!

On 7th April there were ten! That is quite a large batch I think.

While one of the pair was sitting on the nest, the other one (obviously after some hard work) was slowly drifting downstream toward the nest. I particularly liked the reflections of the tree in the river as the swan drifted through.

So now we have to wait for the cygnets to hatch. Just 35 to 42 days to go!

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Signs Of The Times - Coronavirus.

The period that we are all moving through at the moment, is unprecedented, in my lifetime anyway. The Covid-19 pandemic is terrifying in its scope and effect it has on the lives of people that it touches. Although there have been pandemics throughout history, so we read, this one is real - to me, as it affects everybody around me, and will continue to do so for months to come.

One of the ways people convey their feeling and thoughts during these times is in forms of art - messages, drawings etc. Below I have captured some local signs made by all age ranges from children to adults, but starting with one of my favourites seen in a farm yard.

The rainbow colours, but in a flag and a smiley face - lovely!

This from the youngster (13yrs old I believe) from Church Lane, Layham

Her Rainbow of Hope.

I believe the young lady was selling special keyrings on this bench, shame I missed them.

Not far away from the above images, this rainbow balloon spotted on a wall.

The sign on the playing field gate. The sign that says it all.

The Rainbow of Hope as part of this great window display by one of the Charity shops in Hadleigh. This rainbow sign has become an universal symbol during this sad time and can be seen in children's drawings fixed to windows in countless homes across the country.

This rainbow was a clever one in the window of a picture framing shop in Hadleigh.

Messages of encouragement.

A great display in a window in Benton Street, Hadleigh.

A message displayed at a farm nearby which has a message we all endorse with all our hearts. Watching or reading the news today, you feel the world is full of greedy, thoughtless and selfish people. In times like this you realise that this is not the case. If only they had more exposure in the nations news!

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One form of exercise a day ...

During this time of semi-isolation and social distancing, the ability to pursue one form of exercise a day is of vital importance. The locality around our home is a real blessing in that it is on the edge of a small village with miles of lanes and footpaths to wander - usually with nobody else in sight. I can see nobody at all for most of my 2 hours walking and only, as I return to the village, see dog walkers and others.

These images are of just one of the many walks around our area, and I will post, another time, photos of other walks to give an idea of things and places I am privileged to see.

We are fortunate to live near this old watermill, which has the mill house opposite. There are records from Victorian times that the village supported a watermill and two windmills, a blacksmith, a wheelwright and carpenter, a tailor, a cobbler, two butchers, two brickworks and three public houses!. There was also a school and school house beside the church (both buildings are still there). At least the water mill is still here, as most of the others have long been lost. 

The riverside by the mill. A lovely quiet spot where I stop and stare, virtually every time I pass.

There is another reason for stopping here at the moment, and that is to check on the pair of swans nesting here. This image is of one swan arriving to take over the duties of the other, who promptly floated off gracefully to feed upstream.

Then, along the lane to St Andrew's Church in the morning sunshine. St Andrew has little left that is medieval about it. It is a lovely example of a church that was well cared for both before and during the 19th century Anglican revival. The 18th century red brick tower is simple, with a late 19th century rebuilding of the parapet in the Suffolk crenellated style. The external walls of nave and chancel reveal 14th century origins, but all the window traceries were also replaced by the Victorians. Nothing new there! 

Only about half a mile from home yet I had already spotted something rather interesting. I would bet that very few people can remember one of these being used to get their water. This old pump has been hidden in the hedgerow for years and has recently been made visible and painted, and so stands as a rather striking memorial to our local history. Unfortunately, I can remember using one of these when I was a young lad, to fetch water in two buckets, to our house. No water `laid on` at our house then! 

Sometimes the beauty lies in the sky 

And so, turning into Pope`s Green Lane, one of my favourite lanes around home. There is only one street named Pope's Green Lane in the country, making it unique in Great Britain. Not a lot of traffic passes along here, as there are residents at the far end only. There is a Wyncoll`s Farm, part way along, but not much else these days. Times past there would have been some quarry traffic, but again, this would have exited at the far end only. Now it is all peace and quiet! 

Before many yards (or meters), I turned into a bridleway leading to Wyncoll`s Lane, and an interesting loop on my walk.This lane has some history, I believe, and I will do some research to see if there is something of interest. Meanwhile, it is a pleasant walk. 

One of the highlights on this walk is this massive oak tree - it's a beauty! 

Another view of the same oak tree. 

Then into the `tunnel`, as I name it.. The approach looks just like a hedge with a hole in it, it's like being Alice In Wonderland!.

The hedgerow meets overhead and is like a tunnel to walk through - magic! My favourite part of the lane. The lane then emerges near Wyncoll `s Farm house, where I follow the paved lane until it joins Pope`s Green lane again. 

Then a reminder of modernity, as these pylons paraded across the landscape.

The tree with no heart - gouged out by insects and weather and all sorts of natural forces, no doubt.

Speckled Wood butterfly resting on a sun bathed leaf. 

Goat's-beard - Tragopogon pratensis 

Finally a profusion of Hawthorne before arriving at the end of the lane.

My walk back along the lane had been brightened by the swathes of colour in the hedges and verges, the ones above being just a sample. This truly is a wonderful area to live in, and we feel blessed to be able to enjoy it. 

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