For the second time in 3 years, a pair of breeding black swans have made a home in Sydney Park’s wetlands. The result? A bunch of fluffy cygnets.
The family has become quite an attraction for park-goers, who have shared super-cute photos and videos on social media.
The swans are in good company: Sydney Park serves as an important refuge for wildlife in our urban environment, with almost 50 bird species spotted there over the years.
There’s evidence to show that bird species have almost doubled since 2010, thanks in large part to the stormwater harvesting project and ongoing bush restoration.
Fun fact: black swans aren’t actually permanent residents of Sydney Park. They show up when they’re ready to mate. Some swans mate for life. Pairs tend to return to the same nesting site if they were able to successfully raise their young last time, so it’s possible that these proud swan parents are the same ones who bred in Sydney Park in 2017.
Although the swans are irresistible, please keep your distance if you head down for a visit. And contrary to popular belief, bread is not a great treat for birds. In fact, it can cause serious digestive problems that can be fatal for birds. Not only that, bread can attract seagulls or other aggressive birds that prey on ducklings or other small birds. We suggest grapes cut in half, peas, earthworms and compost worms as a healthier alternative for growing cynets and their busy parents. You can learn more at healthywildlife.com.au.
Learn more about urban ecology in our local area.
Main image credit: Ric Sissons
Published 4 June 2019, updated 23 October 2020
