Mute swans nest at bottom of Sir Peter Scott's statue
In a fitting gesture to celebrate Sir Peter Scott’s centenary year, a mute swan has laid a clutch of eggs at the foot of Scott’s commemorative statue at WWT London Wetland Centre. The statue is on a small island in the middle of the entrance lake and visitors can see the nest as they enter the centre.
The pair started building the nest around three weeks ago, after fending off two Canada geese that wanted to nest on the same island. Swans usually sit on their eggs for 35-41 days and will then carry the cygnets on their back to protect them from predators for the first ten days. The swans will feed their young underwater vegetation and small animals including tadpoles and worms.
‘We are delighted that the mute swans have nested onsite. There are at least six eggs in the nest and we expect them to all hatch because the swans are very protective of the eggs.’ says Adam Salmon, Reserve Manager. ‘Mute swans typically build their nests on water banks, mostly with mounds of rushes, reeds and other vegetation.’ 
Sir Peter Scott’s statue recognises him as the founder of the Wildfowl & Wetland’s Trust and marks his significant contribution to wildlife conservation. Long before it became widely acknowledged, Sir Peter Scott recognised the threat that human activity posed to the environment. He foresaw that the conservation of wildlife depended on safeguarding habitats and crucially, on involving and inspiring people. He remained at the forefront of conservation throughout his life.WWT London Wetland Centre was Scott’s vision in his last years and was opened in 2000, just 11 years after his death.
