The first cygnets of 2020 have arrived at Abbotsbury Swannery.

The sight of the tiny bundles of fluff hatching in the swannery’s nest number four is guaranteed to raise the spirits – not least because the first cygnets herald the start of summer.

This year’s nesting season at the swannery has been like no other.

Normally, the mute swan couples are used to bringing their families into the world under the curious gaze of thousands of visitors, keen to walk among the huge nests on the edge of the Fleet lagoon.

But since lockdown, and the closure of the swannery to the public, things have been a lot quieter.

But as far as the swans are concerned, it is very much business as usual and there are more than 100 nests, with around half a dozen eggs in each, which means that hundreds of cygnets will be hatching over the next couple of months.

Swanherd Steve Groves said: “It’s always a wonderful thing to see the first cygnets arrive, and this year, three nests have all started hatching today, with so many more to come.

“For us, it has been a very unusual time in that we are usually full of visitors at this time of year and it’s disappointing that people can’t be here to see the baby birds emerge.

“But as far as the swans are concerned, they are in their safe place, with plenty to eat - and life for them goes on as normal!

“We aim to take lots of photos and video to keep everyone updated with the hatchings and watching the progress of the youngsters from the egg to their first steps and then later, learning to swim!”

Usually, the swannery is the only place in the world where visitors can walk through a colony of mute swans, see cygnets hatching and learning to swim and participate in mass feedings twice a day.

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.

The swanherd and staff feed the adult swans three times a day on wheat grains while the cygnets are fed three times daily on chick crumb, a crushed pellet full of protein, and grass cuttings. Their parents also find natural foods for their cygnets such as algae, water-weeds and grubs.

For more information visit abbotsburyswannery.co.uk