You have had so much snow and rain in your area and from the looks of all the reeds, there is probably not enough space for the turtles to sun themselves. The swans have in essence made a small ramp for the turtles to get out of the water and use it as a sunning area. These also look like small turtles, so we doubt that they are awaiting the hatching of the cygnets. Even though these are small turtles, they could eat or injure the cygnets, but again, we think that they are just using this area as a sun ramp. Once the cygnets hatch, the parents will probably chase the turtles off the nest, especially, as the parents enter and exit the nest.

Turtles, alligators and other aquatic wildlife need to sun themselves to keep warm as well as use the ultraviolet rays from the sun to help keep their skin and shells healthy. Just think of all of the scum and bacteria in ponds and lakes that could adhere and grow on the animals and birds. Sunlight helps kill harmful bacteria and maintain healthy skins and shells. These turtles have found an adequate area to get out of the water for sunning and warming purposes and perfectly normal. The Regal Swan