Dear Friends,

Happy May! I hope you are enjoying this glorious change of weather!  I am (very) slow to share lately and apologize for being slow in responding to emails, too. It’s largely because May is so magnificent for filming wildlife that I just can’t put my camera down.  And also because I had two huge deadlines for grant applications. One proposal for Saint Peter’s Fiesta film and one for the pond film. Now that both are written it will hopefully be easier applying in the future. The time spent is so enormous and for me it is truly the most challenging part of filmmaking.

Warblers, orioles, vireos, shorebirds, herons, raptors, and more — so many beautiful winged beauties have arrived this past month. One of the families I am following for the pond film is a pair of Swans. I wasn’t planning to feature and realize they are controversial however, when I saw how close the nest was to a path, and how acclimated the pair are to people, I think they will be a part of the film. Most often swan’s nests are impossibly invisible deep in the reeds and the males will go after anyone coming near the nest.  Not the case with this pair!

The female is usually on the nest. Very occasionally the male provides relief and he is always nearby playing the part of the protector. He takes off several times a day to patrol the area for other swans and will vigorously go after any waterfowl in his territory that he perceives is a threat. He’s very no-nonsense!

These short clips are of the parents readying for hatch day. Mom is sitting on the nest while you can see Dad clearing a path through the reeds. Since the pair began nesting, the reeds have grown in and the cygnets will need to get to the water. In the last clip, you can see Mom rotating an egg. The eggs are a pretty pale blue gray and one appears slightly speckled. They are difficult to see all at once as they are well-hidden deep within the nest but there appears to be six, possibly seven, eggs.

Swans (and most birds) turn their eggs  during incubation for several reasons. Biologists believe they rotate their eggs to be sure that the developing embryo gets enough album, which is the mix of water and protein that makes up the egg white part of and embryo. The album provides nutrients to the developing chick. Other theories include periodically rotating and rearranging the eggs helps the shell membrane from adhering to the shell, ensures equal hearting, and creates optimal air exchange through the microscopic pores in the eggshell. We can see the swan using both her feet and bill to rotate and rearrange the eggs.

Happy May, Happy Spring!

xxKim