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Mute Swans Vancouver
2002 Nesting Log - April 27 to 30 |
April 27: The prisoners from "F" wing (sic)
are back in their usual location. The "B" pair still
have 5 eggs - the pen turning them regularly. The "A"
pair have not be at their nest (at all?) today. Have they been
chased off again? The"D" pair have been at their nest
intermittently - they still have one egg. The "E" pair
probably won't progress - no nesting activity and they were in
different areas of the Lagoon today. In other "nesting news"
- there are now at least three families of Mallard ducklings on
the Lagoon and possibly one of Wood Ducks. Many House Sparrows
have hatchlings. Red-winged Blackbirds, Bush Tits, Chestnut-backed
and Black-capped Chickadees are busy nest building. As are the
Ravens, North-west Crows and Starlings. The Great Blue Heron Colony
is now into its second year at its new location - many of the
nests now have eggs. The Bald Eagles have 4 nests in the park.
Great Horned and Barred Owls are present in the park and no doubt
have young by now (they have young elsewhere in the region). Many
Kinglets are still around and the Hummingbirds are back. All in
all Spring has finally arrived! May I take this occasion to thank
those people who keep me informed on those occasions when I am
unable to get to the Lagoon in person. No photos today.
April 28: Some interesting dynamics on the Lagoon today.
The "A" are still away from the (2nd) nest. The "B"
pen was on the nest with her mate patrolling their territory.
The "D" pair have a second egg (photos below). The "D"
cob shows signs of becoming the dominant swan on the lagoon -
chasing his parents (the "A" pair) across the Lagoon.
Elsewhere there are now Great Blue Heron chicks in the nest nearest
the Parks Board Office. The other Heron nests are looking good
too.
April 29: No change for the "B" and "D"
pairs. The "A" pair were found with a new egg at the
edge of their territory (photos below). Obviously still scared
off their 2nd nest site, the pen must have just laid the egg where
she was. The wetland site is obviously not the safest site after
all - too many dogs let loose there by ignorant owners. At least
the other sites can be fenced off. Later in the day the "A"
pair were reportedly seen building a nest around the new egg.
April 30: More trouble for the "A" pair. Two
broken eggs were found on the dyke near the "A" site.
One must be from yesterday and the other from their 2nd nest,
but how did they get there? Raccoons would explain one, but the
other was moved out of the wetland and up a bank. As just mentioned,
the egg laid off nest was gone today. The Park's "Wildlife
Technician" (is that an odd job title or what?) with help
from others erected a fence around the 3rd nest site. Without
an egg in the nest it is probable that the swans will not stay
there, but you never know. Good news from the other sites - the
"B" pair still have five eggs (11th day of incubation)
and the "D" pair have a third egg. Elsewhere in the
Lagoon the "E" pair were courting - but no nest site
yet. The new "F" pair remain confined at the Ceperly
end of the Lagoon.
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