Black Swan Family

Daughter E and I visited the area where our Black Swan family were last seen. We have been here several times and done a few walks but have not found them, today we were lucky.  

We were about to leave when Daughter E says  'Stop the car, I think I see a Black Swan'! I stopped the car and there peering through the long grasses there was a tall long neck and little head with a red beak. We sat and watched and out came Mr Black Swan checking to see the way was clear, then two little  cygnets and Mrs Black Swan and then two more. We wondered where the fifth little cygnet was but he/she didn't come - something has happened to it.

We are pretty sure it is the same family as they stay round the area in which they nest for at least 6 months. Haven't the little cygnets grown. We were told by the Department of Conservation that once they leave the nest they grow very quickly. They are now approximately 24 days old.

I can understand why we have been unable to find them. The grasses which you can see are on the verge of the water. Through this area are very thick rushes, trees and plenty of grasses - well hidden area.

I was going to do links but it wasn't very sucessful, if you would like to follow their story the dates are:
24 August 2010
25 August 2010
26 August 2010
28 August 2010 (last seen)

This has been the highlight of our day :)