There will be no cygnets at the municipal pond. This morning, one of our readers sent us a photo of an empty nest, although as recently as Saturday the female swan was sitting on three eggs in it. One of the eggs is lying broken on a nearby lawn, while two are in the water. The swans fled to the other side of the pond and took shelter in the bushes growing near Łajba. The reader wrote that after what she saw she feels like crying...
What could have happened there? It looks as though someone chased the swans away and took the eggs from the nest. Perhaps it was some animal. However, it unfortunately looks more like the work of a human. A similar situation occurred last year. We feel sorry for the birds and the people who helped them. Earlier, to ensure peace and quiet for the birds, the nest had been fenced off...
What can be done to prevent such situations?
If the swans decided to build their nest on the islet, they would be safer there. But how can they be encouraged to do so? Perhaps if some nesting material, dry branches and reeds, were left for them on the island, they would decide to build their nest there.
A reader in the comments below the article wrote what could be done:
1. A platform—a way onto the islet. 2. Plant or replant several larger bushes from the shore, and 3. Leave them some nesting material—dry branches, parts of plants and leaves. They will manage the rest and will have peace and quiet there.
Below is a sad video sent by the reader. The video shows the female swan unsuccessfully trying to save a submerged egg:
The female swan tries to save the egg