Our (large - 84 acre) pond has had a swan couple raise cygnets with increasing success rate (0, 3, hopefully 5) each of the last 3 years.

Today the couple and 5 cygnets were challenged by a family with one cygnet. Our long-time dominant male clearly lost and is now away from his family.

We can't see the rest of the swans (it's dark and they are on another part of the pond). We are concerned what may happen to the long-term female and 5 cygnets after the dominance loss to the new family.

There is at least a fair chance one of the "new" family is from last year's cygnets if that makes a difference.

If there is risk to our long-term family any advice how we might help them get through would be appreciated - they are well liked for chasing off most of the canada geese.

Thank You,

John
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