The season's first fluffy cygnets have appeared at Lake Wendouree.
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A brood of five cygnets in the 'swan pool' near Pipers by the Lake was sighted on August 6, while a brood of seven was located near the start of the rowing course this week.
Cygnets usually start appearing in Ballarat from early September, allowing lake users to stop and admire their cuteness.
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The Courier Nature Notes columnist Roger Thomas said there were several pairs of swans nesting around the lake, which was the usual time for this to occur.
Swan eggs are incubated for about six weeks before hatching at the end of winter to early spring.
Mr Thomas said although cute, the cygnets' parents were protective of them and he reminded dog users to keep their dogs on leads.
"I am sure there'll be a lot of people taking photos of them over the next month or so because they are very appealing and very cute.
- Roger Thomas
"Be aware of them and give them their own space."
Cygnets can swim and feed themselves within a day of hatching.
Mr Thomas said they tended to graze on the shore's grasses when very small.
"Unfortunately this makes them more vulnerable too. They seem to get more food on the shore than in the water," he said.
Mr Thomas said the current swan population was healthy, with a total of 90 at the last count.
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