Restricted view...

On Friday I got lucky and caught Mrs Swan turning her eight eggs over before she settled back down to incubate them. Today I got even luckier, as she was in the process of having a really thorough preen before settling back down on top of her five fluffy cygnets and the three remaining eggs.

Judging by the amount of egg shell and the very limited movement of the little ones, I'm guessing that they had only just emerged. Mr Swan was in evidence today, but like a typically useless bloke he just stood around looking gormless and made it even more difficult for me to get a clear shot of his offspring.

You'll notice in the extra that the nest is complete with what appears to be a J-cloth, the universal choice of all swan mothers!