The story began at the beginning of April, when a pair of swans began building a nest, attracting enormous interest from residents. To ensure the birds’ peace during the breeding season, the nest was covered at the very beginning of the season. The aim was to limit disturbance by walkers, dogs and other animals and to create the safest possible conditions for raising their offspring.
The cygnets were supposed to hatch more than a month ago
In May, there were six eggs in the nest. The incubation period for a mute swan usually lasts from 35 to 41 days, so the first cygnets should have appeared by the end of May or the beginning of June at the latest. However, that did not happen.
Over time, the number of eggs in the nest decreased to four, and the female swan left the nest increasingly often. It is now known that she has abandoned it completely. The remaining eggs are no longer being incubated, definitively bringing this year’s brood to an end.
What could have happened?
The reasons for the failure are not known with certainty. However, there are several most likely scenarios.
One of them is a natural breeding failure—some or all of the eggs may have been unfertilized, or the embryos may have died at an early stage of development. The influence of predators or prolonged stress related to the presence of people near the nest cannot be ruled out either, although the nest was properly covered.
Could it have been checked what was inside the eggs?
After the earlier publication of the article a reader contacted us, pointing out that the cause of the failure could have been confirmed by X-raying the eggs. The examination would have shown whether they were fertilized and whether embryos were developing inside them.
However, such action would have required interfering with the nest and disturbing the birds, so it was not carried out. The reader also informed us that he had passed his suggestions on both to the Bolesławiec Municipal Office and to the Klekusiowo center.
Another season without cygnets
This is another year in which the pair of swans from the municipal pond has not had offspring. Despite creating favorable conditions and attempts to protect the nest, nature wrote its own script.
Residents may nevertheless hope that the pair will remain at the pond and attempt to raise a brood again next season. This year’s story, however, ended sadly.
The swans will soon be relocated
Work related to the construction of a new footbridge and reconstruction of the pond will soon begin at the municipal pond. What will happen to the swans when the work begins? The plan is to relocate them to Klekusiowo in Tomaszów Bolesławiecki for the duration of the work. This will not be a permanent relocation. The solution is primarily related to noise and increased activity around the construction site. The aim is to spare the swans, who are so well liked by Bolesławiec residents, unnecessary stress.
