The first cygnets have hatched at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, near Ringwood, signalling the arrival of summer at the Park. Not only is this earliest hatching at the Park since records began, but the first of the cygnets to arrive is also believed to be the 100th hatching at Moors Valley since it opened 25 years ago. The early arrival is particularly surprising considering how cold the spring has been.
Traditionally seen as one of the first signs of summer, two cygnets can now be seen by Moors Lake at the Park, with 3 eggs still to hatch. A further pair of swans is nesting on the Park’s Crane Lake.
As well as the swans at Moors Valley, the water also provides a home for nesting mallards, which currently have a clutch of 13 duckings on the lake, coots, moorhens and even watervoles, following a successful reintroduction programme last year.
The Park opens every day. For more information go to www.moors-valley.co.uk or call the Rangers on 01425 470721.
Aww…it’s enough to break your heart.