The swans are back .....

..... and the have settled themselves at the far end of the loch where the ice has gradually started to melt. In places it is still thick enough to support the weight of this large bird.

Most of the ground is very muddy and wet although there are still icy patches on both the path and the grass. I stood too long on one rather wet patch waiting for the swan to move and I could feel one sock getting a little damp .... good Ecco boots are supposed to be waterproof!