Surprise cygnets give castle visitors rare winter treat
The unusually mild weather has led to some surprise arrivals at Leeds Castle.
Visitors to the attraction have been treated to the rare sight of cygnets this winter, for the second year in a row.
Six youngsters were hatched by Romeo and Juliet on Thursday, November 10.
The black swans, which pair up for life, are capable of breeding twice a year and can lay at any time, but usually it is too cold for their young to survive in the winter months.
Wildlife Warden James McComiskey said: “These parents bred successfully last November and in May this year, which unfortunately was unsuccessful.
“Three of this year’s cygnets have survived, one is currently on the lake in the Cascade Garden and two are being looked after by the wildlife team after being abandoned by the parents.
“This is normal behaviour for winter as the parents will concentrate on caring for the fittest one to ensure its survival.
“As they are now one month old the two hand-reared cygnets will start to go out in the wildlife pens during the day and by a pond where they can get used to the water in a secure environment away from predators.”
By three months the chicks will be fully grown and are expected to be back out on the lakes by the age of six months.
Around this time they will be named.
Black swans originate from Australia first coming over to Europe in the 1600s with a Dutch explorer. Lady Baillie, the last private owner of Leeds Castle, loved birds and received a black swan as a gift from Winston Churchill to add to her collection.