THE first egg of 2016 has been laid at Abbotsbury Swannery, in time for the Easter weekend.

The pair of mute swans on nest number one are now guarding their precious egg and many more are expected over coming weeks, with the hatching of this year’s first baby swans due early to mid-May.

The swans lay their eggs at two day intervals and hatching takes place 35 days after the final egg of the clutch has been laid.

Each female or ‘pen’ lays an average of six eggs, up to a maximum of 13.

Visitors to the Swannery can walk safely along paths among the nests and take part in the twice-a-day mass-feeding of the graceful birds.

Abbotsbury Swanherd Dave Wheeler said: "We don’t know the earliest hatching date yet, as the swans can lay their clutch over about two weeks.

“But it’s all looking good and with any luck we may have some early cygnets around the start of May. We are delighted to have our “Easter egg” though, just in time for the holiday weekend.”