It’s the winter they weren’t supposed to experience.
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These four week-old cygnets are feeling the chill after an early hatching at Paul’s Wetland in Wendouree.
Cygnets usually hatch around August or September, avoiding the depths of the icy winter, and autumn broods are rare.
“It’s very early indeed for cygnets to hatch at the end of May,” said The Courier’s nature writer Roger Thomas.
“I’m not aware of any other cygnets or nests anywhere else at present.”
Although the family of six were happily paddling around the wetland waterways this week, it was tinged with a hint of sadness as observers reported that five cygnets originally hatched.
It’s unknown what happened to the other baby bird.
Mr Thomas urged visitors to the wetland to keep their dogs on leads in the area to give the cygnets the best chance at life.
“Paul’s Wetland is a good spot for a variety of waterbirds and other birds. It often has some surprises in the way of unexpected sightings.”
