Meet the CUTEST Baby Swans at Abbotsbury

This week we return to the wonderful Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset, home of the only managed nesting colony of mute swans in the world. And we've timed our visit just right - there are hundreds of adorable cygnets now exploring the site, closely guarded by over 100 pairs of proud parents.

Abbotsbury Swannery, located in Dorset, England, is a unique and enchanting destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. The Swannery is nestled in a picturesque valley, surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful countryside, creating a serene and idyllic setting.

The Swannery's origins can be traced back to the Benedictine monks who built a monastery in Abbotsbury during the 11th century. The swans were initially kept for their meat, feathers, and quills, but as time went on, the focus shifted to conservation and protection of these majestic birds. Today, the Swannery serves as a sanctuary for over 600 swans, offering them a safe haven to breed, nest, and raise their young.

Visitors to Abbotsbury Swannery can experience a truly immersive encounter with these elegant creatures. As they wander through the Swannery, they can observe the swans in their natural habitat, observing their graceful movements and listening to their melodic calls. During the hatching season, May to June, visitors may even witness the sight of adorable cygnets hatching and taking their first steps into the world.

If you would like to learn more about Abbotsbury Swannery, visit their website at https://abbotsburyswannery.co.uk/

You can subscribe to their YouTube channel here: ‪@AbbotsburySwanneryDorset‬

Catch up on our previous visit to Abbotsbury Swannery, where we fed hundreds of swans on the Fleet Lagoon, here:    • Abbotsbury Swannery is amazing!  

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We're Stephen and Claire. You may know us as the Two Zany Brits who filmed & edited Mapperton Live & American Viscountess. We've now set up this YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to follow us on our journey: https://www.youtube.com/stephenandcla...

Follow us on other platforms and send us a tip here: https://linktr.ee/twozanybrits

Some of our recent highlights include:

A tour of the medieval walled city of York:    • YORK - England's best preserved MEDIE...  
Our doomed attempt at finding puffins at Bempton Cliffs:    • The best location for PUFFINS in the ...  
Getting stuck in at a farm full of cute lambs:    • LAMBS EVERYWHERE! Meet my brother-in-...  

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Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
00:20 - Swans nesting at Abbotsbury Swannery
00:53 - How to tell the difference between a male and female mute swan
01:17 - Do swans mate for life?
01:43 - Cygnet wading through mud
02:34 - Photographing cygnets
03:10 - Rearing pens
03:45 - Some swan and cygnet facts
05:20 - Abbotsbury swan round-up
06:33 - Claire goes off-piste and photographs an egret
07:00 - Cygnet synchronised swimming
07:48 - Proximity to nests
09:27 - Photographing an oyster catcher
10:10 - Why do the swans congregate here?
10:56 - Top tips for cygnet photography
11:57 - Group of cygnets sleeping
13:06 - Outro
13:25 - Outtakes

#cuteanimals #cygnets #babybird