Swans “personalities” differ from one to the other, as night from day. Take our two nesting pairs - Precious and Marlika, and Mama and Papa Swan….

Precious and Marlika
This morning saw Precious sitting on the nest full of eggs, long neck like a feathered periscope – ramrod straight, as he surveyed their wetland kingdom, while his mate enjoyed a bite to eat and a swim in the mini-canal nearby. On Marlika's return to the nest, Precious continued his self-assigned task of fetching more material to continue reinforcing the edges; they now have a “tower” to sit on where they can spot any risks from a distance.

Mama and Papa
Meanwhile, at the other end of the lagoon, Mama Swan, ever patient, continues to sit tight on her little clutch of 2 eggs without much relief. Papa Swan does his best, but he’s never quite understood all those little extras of being an ideal mate, and has come to be known as our “Deadbeat Dad!” On the other hand, he can be seen near the nest more often now, keeping an eye on things.

Mama’s Nest Attacked
It's not always an easy time for our swans during nesting, with dangers from predators of all kinds. A makeshift barrier of boughs and low mesh placed across the nest area wasn’t enough to protect her from a very large rock that someone threw into her nest earlier this week. This once happened to Marlika too. (see note on their page).

In spite of her fright and distress, Mama Swan hung in there with true heroic spirit, and is still firmly on her eggs. And she’s now protected by new, high mesh to enjoy some peace as a lady-in-waiting.