The story behind one of Preston’s most famous families – the Ashton swans

Swan family by the canal bank — Pic: Donna Clifford

Since spring, we’ve watched on in delight as the family of swans has survived and thrived on the Lancaster Canal in Ashton.

The two adults have nurtured nine babies, who have developed from cute little creatures into almost fully-grown birds.

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“The Ashton swan family is one of the most familiar types to us in the UK, being mute swans (Cygnus olor). They are so called because they make comparatively little vocal noise whilst flying.

“While the Ashton family lives on the canal, mute swans can be found year-round on lakes and slow-moving rivers too, both in open country and in busier towns and cities.

“Mute swans usually mate for life. The Ashton parents will have formed strong emotional bonds when they paired up, with both playing a role in guarding and bringing up their offspring.

Swan parents with their babies — The parents will have “strong emotional bonds” Pic: Donna Clifford

“The mother (pen) usually lays her eggs in April and incubates them for a period of five to six weeks.”

Swans nesting during March — The swans preparing the nest during March Pic: Donna Clifford

“The Ashton cygnets hatched around 3 May.

The cygnets at one day old — The cygnets photographed at around a day old on 4 May Pic: Donna Clifford

“Typically there will be between four and seven cygnets per clutch, so nine is more unusual. The juvenile survival rate is around 40 per cent, but all nine of the Ashton cygnets survived.

“Once born, the fluffy grey cygnets are very vulnerable to predators like foxes, pike and crows, so in the first few weeks they are closely guarded by their parents.

The young cygnets staying close to their parents Pic: Donna Clifford

“They can start to fly from around five months old.

Cygnets learning to fly — The cygnets learning to fly Pic: Donna Clifford

“After the first few months, once their feathers are turning white, the parents will drive them away to fend for themselves.

Seven cygnets remaining — The number of cygnets has decreased lately as they begin to leave the nest – here there were seven remaining Pic: Donna Clifford

“The juveniles form non-breeding flocks, and then usually start breeding themselves at around four years old. They don’t tend to stray too far from where they were born, but this depends on availability of food, space and proximity to water.

Four cygnets were spotted at Haslam Park on Saturday (10 October) Pic: Donna Clifford

“Mute swans like the Ashton family are highly territorial and will often return to the same nesting site year upon year. If another family encroaches upon their territory, cygnets and even adults can be killed in the process.

Territorial swan chasing duck away — A territorial swan chasing a duck away Pic: Donna Clifford

“The swans’ diet will consist mainly of aquatic vegetation, of which many species can be found in our canals.

Cygnet with vegetation on its face — A cygnet with vegetation on its face Pic: Donna Clifford

“During a harsh winter, they may struggle to find enough nutritious food and although they love being fed bread, it’s a bit like junk food, so grain and vegetables are preferable!

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“The swans can sleep floating on the water or on land standing on one leg!

The swan family sleeping by the rainbow bridge — The swan family sleeping on the canal bank by the rainbow bridge Pic: Donna Clifford

“All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected under UK law and at the Canal and River Trust we strive to retain sufficient habitat for swans and all wild birds to nest, feed and shelter whilst facilitating safe navigation for our visitors. We also monitor and act on any pollution incidents which can affect water quality and the health of our resident fauna.

“There is nothing quite so relaxing as watching a family of swans pass by in early summer, cygnets whistling, parents proudly guarding.”

Have you enjoyed watching the swan family grow? Let us know in the comments.