I think this is not the first born son because this swan has an orange beaks and the cygnets' beaks haven't turned orange yet. ALSO, last night I watched the mother swan approach the father swan's side of the pond. At first I was happy. I thought they were back together! But he puffed up his wings and pointed them diagonally backwards (not full extended like he was fighting off an enemy but still agitated) and he seemed to chase her away until she finally got out of the water on the other side of the pond. It seems he is rejecting his wife all of a sudden. Have you ever seen such behavior? Does this make any sense? COuld he be going senile? ALso thanks for the advice about covering him with a blanket. I will see if I can get my husband to do it. I don't live along the pond but I could try leaving notes for the people who do.