Approximately a week after hatching, the mother will move the cygnets away from the nest. However, the mother and cygnets should still be in the immediate area (less than a mile) unless she had to take them elsewhere for safety (away from predators) or in search of a better food source.

If the family is not seen together in the next few days, it may be that unfortunately, something happened to the female and the eggs (i.e. predator).

Another possibility is that the Ohio DNR has killed the mother and addled the eggs so that no new swans can be produced. This agency as well as many other state and federal wildlife agencies have misrepresented facts to the public regarding the Mute Swans. The wildlife officials state that the Mute Swans are an invasive species, therefore detrimental to the habitat. In reality, they are a sentinel species indicating when something is wrong with the habitat such as the presence of heavy metals and harmful microorganisms.

The real reason these agencies are killing the Mute Swans is to open waterways for boating, skiing and introduction of the larger Trumpeter Swans. The Trumpeter Swans will be used for Trophy Waterfowl hunting. Permits for hunting, boating and usage of waterways increase the state budget. Hopefully, this is not the case and you will see the mother and cygnets soon. The Regal Swan