Keep Swanning Around

Did you know swans are the largest extant members of the waterfowl family Anatidae, and are among the largest flying birds in the world. A group of swans is called a bevy or a wedge in flight. Swans usually mate for life, although divorce sometimes occurs, particularly following nesting failure, and if a mate dies, the remaining swan will take up with another. Swans are highly protective of their nests. They will viciously attack anything that they perceive as a threat to their chicks, including humans. For that reason, you should be wary of them especially trying to feed or touch them. Usually, on a day out on one of our boats, you will see one or two pairs and around June July some pairs will have a family of 2 - 7 cygnets who take at least a year to grow out their brown feathers into the beautiful total white plumage you're used to seeing. We are lucky as there have been a mating pair nesting 50 meters from Sydney Wharf each year for the last 9 years. These majestic birds are just one of the many examples of nature you will experience on the Kennet and Avon canal.