Nature Notes, Autumn 2019
The growth of the two cygnets has been the main wildlife focus this autumn, their soft down feathers have been replaced and their instinct to preen and fly has become stronger and stronger. September saw them begin to flap their wings to strengthen their flight muscles. By October the flapping was taking place on the lake, and by mid- October they took to the air, albeit, a very short, low level flight. In mid-November, at 26 weeks old (6 months), the cygnets had flown away with their parents, but just for a day. At present the family continue to live on the lake.