The North cannot boast of better weather now than the South.

After weeks and weeks of dry sunny days it broke up properly with lashing rain early this morning and cloud enshrouding the mountains. It was difficult enough to see the nest through the telescopes let alone through the camera. At this late stage of incubation it is vitally important that the eggs are kept warm (99 –100F) to prevent the death of the nearly fully formed embryos inside the thin shells. There was no messing around today as No-ring and Mrs. changed over shifts and snuggled down on their clutch - although finding themselves sitting in a wet bed must have come as a shock. Midday saw them, rather desperately, bringing in loads of moss to soften and mop up the situation.

Below, through the mists sweeping the marsh visitors caught glimpses of the resident mute swans gliding proudly along with a new family in tow. Extra water held no fears for them and the little cygnets splashed happily in the shallows, clambering onto their parents’ backs and nestling between the curves of their white wings whenever they got tired. With their stubby black beaks and fluffy grey down there was not an ugly duckling amongst them.