As swans get older, the more they may become bored by nesting and continually needing to watch over cygnets. Male swans will leave most of the tending of the young to the females and will forage around the area until they are needed. Should he see or hear an intruder or hear or see the young and his mate in distress, he will come back to them very quickly. So, this is normal behavior in most instances. The Regal Swan