Simply Superb Swans

While down south have parched ground, we have probably had the best summer for many years. We had enough rain to keep things green but not enough for the river system. Having had many ducklin...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/09/green-grass.html

                    In spite of the best efforts by the Mother duck and myself, three of the ducklings have been lost to predators since last Friday.  Sadly 2 of them were th...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/08/ten-on-day-ten.html

                    Incredibly the late hatch of 13 ducklings after a week, are still intact!  Considering 5 of them are pure gold and easily spotted by predators.  Th...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/08/guarding-gold.html

Stunning double surprise yesterday, With a Spectacular Rainbow appearing above the swans Island.  This was accompanied by the appearance of a newly hatched brood of 13 ducklings!  ...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/08/gold-at-end-of-rainbow.html

Sue has regrown her new plumage and should be able to resume flying shortly, Slim has a month to go.  Meanwhile the cygnets are nearly the size of both, and almost ready for flight tra...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/08/cygnets-at-3-months.html

Twelve years ago, after Penny our resident swan was attacked by a dog on the riverside. I had the good fortune to contact Sue Hulbert.   An internet search led me to Fairford Swan A...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/08/sue-hulbert-swan-saver.html

Conditions for the release of the recovered Duck and her brood were ideal today.  Had to improvise the transport and do the job myself, using the DUV... duck utility vehicle!  �...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/08/successful-release-by-duvduck-utility.html

Summer at it's peak, with low water conditions and maximum vegetation growth, makes for easy living for the waterbirds.  Sue has moulted and Slim will soon follow.  Meanwhil...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/summer-swans.html

After yesterdays sad news, it's not all doom and gloom here, it was nice to see the injured mother duck and her ducklings dashing around the garden pond.  Pleased to report that she ha...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/not-all-doom-and-gloom.html

 This mornings dreich weather only got worse when I looked into the blind ducklings box. The poor wee thing was laying dead on it's back in the feed tray!  It was a gut wrenching moment as ...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/sad-news-best-laid-plans.html

There is a great deal of irony coming into possession of a blind duckling, for I am now losing my own sight to a degree with Macula degeneration. The big difference is I am getting old and the...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/blind-orientation.html

Yesterday saw another brood of 10 ducklings take to the river from a house in Harbour street. All seemed well until it was time for them to head to the riverside the mother duck in the lead, ...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/born-blind-duckling.html

Have had several calls for advice on ducklings. Some people are concerned when seeing them in Town far from water trying to make their way back to the river. My experience tells me that Mothe...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/ducklings-mother-knows-best.html

Now one week since Saffron and her brood were released to the river.  Delighted to report that they have all integrated and settled in with no losses.  They have drawn many comm...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/white-settlers-settle-in.html

 The new Trust Calendar for 2023 is now available.                   It's the 10th year since the founding of the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust . I have put together some ...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/10-years-of-trust-new-2023-calendar.html

After almost a year since Saffron was rescued, during this time she has reared her own brood of ducklings.  Three of them lovely white ducks like herself are now returned to the wild.�...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/independence-day-for-white-settlers.html

  Short videos below, showing Saffron's brood getting ready for the off... release day is coming !!

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/ready-to-go.html

  The recent duck casualty of the Drakes on the river, is finally looking on the mend.  The extent of the beating she got is apparent by the bare scalp, she is lucky to have surv...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/07/duck-on-mend.html

 Caring for the injured duck and her ducklings is an awkward business, with Saffron and her growing family eager to attack the new incomers.  The injured mother duck is on the mend bu...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/06/disco-befriends-injured-duck.html

Quite incredible surprise the other day, when Saffron her ducklings and Disco were crowded and quacking at the garden gate.  All became clear when I heard a duck quacking on the opposit...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/06/discos-daughter-returns.html

Looks like Slim and Sue's offspring of 2020 have moved back closer to home. The small body of wetlands known as the Ministers pond not far from the river, has a pair of Swans and 5 cygnets hat...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/06/nairn-swans-spread-their-wings.html

Our injured rescue duck is improving and has now been moved into the outdoor aviary.  The treatment for pain relief has finally allowed her to have the ducklings closely under her wing...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/06/injured-duck-improving.html

Another dramatic day on the riverside, just as I was beginning to relax after the last release. Trust member and riverside resident Ian Pollock saw a Mother duck being pounced on by several D...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/06/double-rescue-mother-ducklings.html

After 2 months careful nurturing, it was time to release Disco's 10 ducklings to the wild.  These ducklings are the result of Ebony and Disco mating earlier in the spring. They are spe...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/06/successful-release-discos-ducklings.html

 Yesterday a lost duckling was found at the end of the pier.  It was picked up by a tourist and dropped into the river beside the Swans and ducks. Fortunately I happened to arrive as it hap...

https://simplysuperbswans.blogspot.com/2022/06/lost-duckling-reunited-with-mum.html