Far as I recall Phil the Black Swans had three chicks and a pair of Mute Swans also had chicks about the same time - there were stories at the time that all of the chicks were killed by their opposite colours if you see what I mean - don't know how true that was perhaps others have the full facts.

PS - just checked my notes and I have "Black Swans with 4 chicks, Haydns Pool, 30th April 2008"

-- Edited by sid ashton on Thursday 8th of October 2009 09:30:15 PM

Where they actually successful do you know Sid???

I never got to find out but let's hope they had a bit more luck than the Black-Winged Stilts which was the time when I saw you there.

Yes Phil there were 2 Black Swans present on Neumans the last time I was there in July and they bred on Hadyns Pool last year.

Black Swans have bred at Neumans Flash in the past.

Fishing at Budworth Mere at lunch time today, when my friend ( who isn't a birder ) shouts out that two big black and white swans are flying overhead !

I looked up to see what I initialy thought were some kind of crane, but after looking at the reference books I think they were most likely to be Black Storks. They had deep red bills, were predominately black with a central white area and were heading south towards Newmans Flash. They were definately some kind of stork or crane.

Anyone else seen them ?????

NB We now think they were two possible Black Swans - sorry about that !!

-- Edited by John Barber on Thursday 8th of October 2009 05:13:57 PM