We have always been captivated by the grace and elegance of swans. These noble birds contribute to the beauty of our surroundings and add so much to the harmony and enjoyment of our community

There are two species of swans in UK. The white swans are called ‘mute swans’ but they are not mute as they can make sounds like hissing or trumpeting. The black swans with red beak, native from Australia, are called ‘black swans’.

The female swan is called a ‘pen’; the male swan is called a ‘cob’ and the baby swans are ‘cygnets’. The male is slightly larger than a pen, his bill is a brighter orange and the knob at the base of the bill is larger.

Swans can live up to 35 years – but usually their life span is only 10 – 20 years. The average swans weigh 15 kilos. Their length is 130-150cm and their wingspan 200-250cm.

They take off from the water by running very fast and flapping their wings.

Swans can fly at speeds of up to 100 kmph. When landing on water the swan uses its feet like water-skis and gently slides to stop.

Swans feed by submerging their head and neck in the water. They are mostly vegetarian but occasionally they eat small insects and fish.

As swans ingest grit to help them digest food sometimes they swallow accidentally pieces of lead leftover by fishermen. This breaks down in their stomachs and causes muscular and nervous damage. Lead fishing weights are now banned in Britain but there are still some left at the bottoms of rivers and lakes that could be ingested by swans.

Bread is not digested properly by swans therefore people who are tempted to feed swans should use popcorn.

Mute swans establish strong bonds when they pair up. They do not always pair for life, as is widely believed – they may have 4 different mates during their lifetimes.

One of six cygnets is not the offspring of the male in the pair. However researches show that well-established pairs tend to be more successful at raising their young.

Males try to have extra copulation with other females. When there is an opportunity to mate with a female outside their pair bond, they will follow it. Yet, when they leave their own female unattended she becomes available to other cobs.

During the breeding season the male becomes very hostile to any intruders. They adopt an intimidating pose – with their wings arched over their backs – and charge to any potential opponent.

Contrary to general belief swans do not bite, but use their wings as weapons. They are not as gentle and still as they seem. It happens quite often that cobs fight to death.

In spring a pair of swans constructs on the ground a huge nest out of twigs and reeds, in which the pen lays between 3 and 7 white, green-tinged eggs. The eggs are laid at two-day intervals, with incubation starting with the last egg and taking 35 days. The pen performs most of the incubating duty – but the cob keeps watch and occasionally takes over for brief periods.

The mother defends her offspring aggressively from predators and humans. The cygnets sometimes climb under the adults’ wings for shelter, which keeps them warm and protects them from predators like pike.

Cygnets are grey and downy, but down is replaced by brown feathers, which gradually turn white in the next 12 months. In the breeding season they are driven away by their parents. Young swans form a pair bond two years before they breed.

Regrettably, swans are subjected to cruel and senseless vandalism. Attacks involving shootings appear to increase. Many nests and eggs are destroyed by irrational people. Discarded fishing tackle and line still harm the swans. Furthermore, dogs and foxes kill many of them.

Together with other birds, swans are useful indicators of the overall well-being of the area in which they live. Their number and health reflect accurately the way we relate to our environment.

Whenever I contemplate the beauty of our surroundings – such as the gracious flight of a herd of swans few minutes before sunset – I cannot help of thinking that nature can endure only if we protect it. By achieving this task we assure not only the perpetuation of wild animals and plants but also our own survival.