Birds of Leabank Square - Swan

Remember those beautiful little swanlings from last year? Well - haven't they grown into lovely teenagers?! The family seems to visit Leabank Square's Purple Garden twice each day.

They absolutely love the new reedbeds - and hang about for about an hour each time.

The mute swan is a very large white waterbird. It has a long S-shaped neck, and an orange bill with black at the base of it. When they fly past Leabank Square - they have their necks extended and have regular slow wingbeats. The noise when they take off - is absolutely thrilling - lots of beating the water.

Some birds stay in their territories all year, while others move short distances and form winter flocks. In cold weather, some birds arrive from Europe into eastern England. Lets hope that this family stay here the whole winter - as they are so beautiful to watch!