Longboat swans go into nesting mode

The newest arrivals to the Bay Isles swan family will most likely arrive April 19 or April 20, according to unofficial “swan keeper” David Novak.

After seeing Wendy the swan alone two days in a row, Novak searched for her mate, Stan, and discovered him filling in for Wendy at their nest, sitting on the eggs.

Alan and Beverly were hard at work on their nest this morning, according to Novak, who expects eggs to follow shortly. Beverly’s nest will hatch at least four days after Wendy’s nest.

Swan eggs have a 35-day incubation period.

“Once hatched, the drama of survival begins. Last year, only one cygnet made it a year but has not been spotted since,” Novak wrote in an email.

Neither pair’s nest is in the public view.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].