We live on a small lake ( Lake Rosalind ) in south western Ontario Canada & for the first time ever we had a pair of Mute swans nest here & lay six eggs of which five hatched. We lost three very early do to mink, & snapping turtles. After that everything went well to the point of all four flying around the lake together in October. It is now Dec 25th & the lake is almost totally frozen over. About 4 days ago we noticed only three together, the two adults & the larger of the two remaining cygnets ( which looks to be a male ). The smaller one is being chased away & when the males get to her they are definately trying to drownd the small one. On the 24th we were lucky to get her because she had lay on the ice for many hours not moving & we knew she would not make another day. She was only about 30 feet from shore & had no fight left in her. We managed to get a rope around her & slide her to shore, threw a blanket over her, gently put her in a big box & took her to the conservation park outside of town where the water stays open all year & they will feed her.
We are not sure what causes this behavior, & also are concered that soon there will be no open water left for the remaining three.
Does any one have info on these habits.
Thanks