Rescued Cygnets

A clutch of cygnets were seen in distress and without parents close to Spanish Arch. They were being taken out to sea by the current. A member of the public rescued them from the water. Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue was contacted. Imelda took them home and kept them warm under an infra-red lamp. Meanwhile another lone cygnet was rescued from the canal. All this happened during the June Bank Holiday weekend.

The first clutch were only a few days old. The lone cygnet was about 3 weeks old.
I took them home to Knocknacarra. The four cygnets were very comfortable together under the infra-red lamp. It was not long until they got the 'hang' of eating chick pellets soaked in water. They formed a family group. It was lovely to see the oldest one looking after the three little ones!

After 2 weeks they were ready to live in a pen in my back garden. They enjoyed the space and the paddling pool. By then they were eating very well and growing rapidly. At this stage they need lots of green vegetables in their diet. I want to thank Joyce's Supermarket, Knocknacarra, for supplying copious amounts of lettuces, cabbage and carrots, which I had to shred for them every day!