The best thing would be not to feed the birds as this can also attract other predators to the nesting area (i.e., raccoons, ants, rats, etc.). Since this is a nature reserve and the swans are protected in certain areas, you may not be able to legally feed them. The major problem with feeding wild birds or animals is that it disrupts their natural foraging habits and they become too dependant upon humans and they may not even migrate during periods of inclement weather, i.e., snow, etc.

However, if the birds come off the nest and travel a distance from the nest to feed and you are not violating any laws, you might try small amounts of bread (causes a change in blood sugar) or try to feed them lettuce, cracked corn and poultry layers pellets.

Nesting begins immediately after copulation and prior to the laying of the first egg. Once the last egg is deposited, the pen will stay on the nest for approximately 35-40 days. The Regal Swan