Mr Swan (the Cob) …..….. Mrs Swan (the Pen). The large ‘growths’ at the base of the beak are known as the Basal knob, usually larger on the Cob and often increasing in size during the breeding season.…..….. and the youngsters. In ten weeks all eight have grown fast, have avoided theearly dangers and are becoming more independent. As they grow they are now developing white feathers. The Lapwings in the foreground seem unimpressed!
….. the striking and distinctive colours of the Peacock butterflyand …..….. the caterpillar of the Peacock butterfly working its way through the grasses on the edge of the track.Regrettably year by year the numbers of butterflies around the Loch have diminished fortunately this year there are still a few in evidence.
The Swan family disappeared from the Loch last Thursday and reappeared Tuesday. The Cygnets had been walked through to the nearby Lily Loch ….... which is a small loch about one hundred metres to the west of Corby Loch situated in dangerously boggy ground surrounded by small trees.The south end of Corby Loch can just be seen beyond Lily Loch. Hundreds of years ago it is thought the two lochs formed one water. Meanwhile ….... with the Cygnets growing fast, the Heron appears to be concentrating its ‘fishing’ efforts on a nearby pond!
The Cygnets are growing fast and practising their formation swimming on the far side of the Loch meanwhile …..…. on a nearby water younger cygnets devise their own formation whilst ….... two spectateand …..… back on Corby Loch the heron has relocated to the far rush !
In spite of being regularly watched by the Heron which is often within fifty metres of the Swan family …..….. due to the adults protection there are still eight Cygnets (count the heads) and they are growing fast.
