In my first messages I noted that Swany is about 15 or 16 years old. Several years ago I learned she is a whooper swan by looking at swan photos on the internet (Swany's excellent avian/wildlife veterinarian doesn't treat too many swans and wasn't sure). Swany's vet ran a DNA test many years ago so we knew her gender, but she never showed any nesting behavior whatsoever until now.

I live in an equestrian community on a large property with self-contained lake. A former neighbor purchased a "flock" of young swans (all with pinioned wings) in the mid 1990's. As the swans matured, the homeowner grew tired of them making a mess....swimming in her pool... making noise etc. -and "evicted" them. They scattered throughout the community, and Swany moved onto our property in the late 1990's.

Since then Swany has assumed the role of property supervisor and security guard. She is unfriendly (and occasionally aggressive) to pets and people - with the exception of myself , to whom she is companionable and protective. Despite her cantakerous personality, she is loved, admired and respected by family and friends.

We have always felt bad about her "solitary" swan life... but I decided not to take any chances introducing a companion (male or female) after watching her try to drown visiting mallards many years ago.

We are all quite astonished by the current situation. Swany's nest is now at least twice the size as in my last pic. And, as of last nite (7/4), she is sitting on 3 EGGS! We know the eggs are unfertilized because there are no wild swans in the area. Any survivors of Swany's original group, if still in this community, have pinioned wings and would be unable to fly onto our property.

I hope this provides some additional background, and I will continue to keep you up to date.
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