##SwanWatch
LightNews LightNews
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
Jill on the job, patiently and gracefully.
#swanwatch #swan #birds #naturephotography #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
Settled deep into the nest she and Jack built together back in April, Jill sits in quiet, steady vigil, her white body a warm, living shield over the eggs tucked safely beneath her. Her neck curves with effortless elegance, that graceful S-shape rising from the woven bed of reeds like a sculpture, while fresh green shoots push up behind her as spring fully arrives around her. She is not still out of patience, she is still out of purpose. Nearly a month of unbroken devotion, and she wears it lightly, with all the composed dignity only a swan can manage. The orange of her bill glows gently in the soft morning light, and her eye, calm and dark, watches the world with quiet authority. The eggs are close now. Jill knows.
May 3, 2026 at 8:00 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
Last Monday I went to check up on Jill and Jack only to find that the nest was deserted and they’d gone. So I missed the cygnets I’d been so looking forward to because of hospital. Aargh!
#swanwatch #birds #swans #naturephotography #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
Photo taken in April when I first came across Jill and Jack, two mute swans.
June 3, 2026 at 3:57 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
Jack & Jill are building house. Checked on the swans this morning. Jack is showing quite a lot of #attitude.
#BirdofTheDay #birds #nature #swanwatch #swans #photography #ECK
April 1, 2026 at 8:12 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
Good news from the #SwanWatch, Jill is still hatching and Jack is back doing his rounds on the pond protecting his family.
#birds #naturephotography #swan #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
Almost six weeks since Jack and Jill first broke ground on their reed platform, and the world around the nest has moved on into full spring, but Jill has not moved at all. She sits exactly where she has always sat, settled low and steady into the woven bed of dry reeds, her white body a still point in a world that has erupted into green around her. The fresh reeds have shot up thick and tall since April, their vivid blades now framing Jill on all sides, slowly reclaiming the view. Every week the nest becomes a little harder to find, a little more tucked away, nature quietly drawing a curtain around her. What was once an open winter shore is now a living, rustling screen of new growth, and Jill sits at the heart of it, calm and unhurried, her elegant neck curved with that same composed grace as always.
May 11, 2026 at 7:09 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
Just back from checking on swan lady Jill who’s doing fine obviously. She appreciates to be featured in Alan’s #BirdOfTheDay theme today.
#CamoOrContrast #swan #swanwatch #naturephotography #birds #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
Swan lady Jill takes a quiet moment to preen herself while keeping her eggs warm, nestled deep in a bed of dry reeds at the water's edge. Her brilliant white plumage glows against the tangle of golden-brown reed stems and bright spears of new spring growth behind her, a study in contrast between purity and the raw, weathered textures of her lakeside home. With her graceful neck curved inward and her vivid orange-and-black bill attending to her feathers, she is the picture of calm devotion: simultaneously mother, beauty, and guardian.
April 25, 2026 at 6:21 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
New from the #swanwatch, maybe eggs finally? Details in the ALT text.
#swanday #swan #birds #naturephotography #animalphotography #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
Jill is settled deep into the nest, body rounded and low, bill tucked inward toward her breast, the compact, still posture of a bird that is not planning to move. She is not simply resting; she is covering something. Behind her, Jack has positioned himself at the water’s edge just beyond the reeds, neck curved downward toward her in a posture that reads less like relaxation and more like close attention. He is not facing outward to scan for threats, he is watching her. A quiet, private moment, even with a camera nearby. Jack’s attention is turned inward as he preens, methodical, unhurried, entirely unbothered. Jill does not move. Neither of them acknowledges the camera. This is a pair well accustomed to people passing by, stopping, watching. The reed beds along this stretch have always drawn visitors, and Jack and Jill have simply factored them into the landscape, background noise, nothing more. The nest is solid, the eggs are covered, and whatever is happening on the bank is somebody else’s business.
April 12, 2026 at 4:47 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
Everything’s fine with Jack and Jill. She’s still hatching, has been relentlessly, patiently since 15 April.
#SwanWatch #swanday #birds #birdphotography #naturephotography #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
The fresh reeds have all but closed ranks around the nest now, but the telephoto lens slips through the gaps and finds Jill in a moment of pure stillness. Her neck is curved softly downward, bill tucked under the warm fold of her own wing, that classic posture of deep rest, the one swans adopt when the world can wait and the body finally asks for a little peace. It is not sleep exactly. More like a pause. A closing of the eyes between one act of devotion and the next. Four weeks have passed since Jill first settled over her eggs on the 15th of April, four weeks of unbroken turning, warming and watching, and she allows herself this one small luxury, her bill nestled into her own feathers like a secret kept close. The golden light catches the curve of her head, the softness of her plumage, the quiet rise and fall of a creature completely at ease in her purpose. Jack is back on the water. The reeds stand tall around her. And Jill rests, just for a moment, with perhaps another week or two still to go before the nest gets very busy indeed.
May 17, 2026 at 7:57 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 4
Finally she seemed to have finished, checked her clutch once more and settled down for the long time of hatching.
#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
April 15, 2026 at 8:27 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 3
She went on, patiently, one egg after another, with me watching in fascination.
#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
April 15, 2026 at 8:22 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 1
Got to Jill this morning when she was just in the process of laying her eggs a little while ago.
#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
A a magical moment to witness! Caught Jill right on the nest, settled low into the reeds in that classic incubating posture with her neck gently curved downward. The nest looks beautifully constructed a large mound of dry reed stems lined with white down feathers plucked from her own breast, which is typical of mute swans. That soft white fluff around the base of the nest is a great sign; it means she's actively preparing a warm, insulated cup for the eggs. The first egg! Mute swans lay their eggs one at a time, usually every other day, so spotting just one egg on the first day is completely expected. She will usually continue laying until the clutch is complete, typically 5–8 eggs, and only then begin full-time incubation so all the cygnets hatch around the same time.
April 15, 2026 at 8:13 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 2
Usually mute swans normally lay one egg every 1–2 days, so seeing multiple eggs laid in a single sitting within minutes is highly unusual, but Jill didn’t waste any time. A magical moment!

#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
April 15, 2026 at 8:18 AM
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social
“Home Improvement”
A story in four photos, more in the ALT text.
##SwanWatch #birds #swan #WackyWednesdayArt #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
Photo 1: Jill the mute swan glides along the reed bed, neck stretched low over the water, eyes narrowed. She has a look. The nest is fine. But it could be better. Photo 2: Decision made. Head goes straight under. No hesitation. If it’s wet, tangled, and smells of pond, it’s exactly what she’s looking for. Photo 3: She resurfaces gripping a dripping clump of aquatic weeds, reed roots, and assorted pond debris. Glamorous work. Someone has to do it. Photo 4: Neck raised in a satisfied curve, she looks as if she smiling to herself. Jack is somewhere standing guard and looking important. Jill is actually building the whole thing.
April 8, 2026 at 11:28 AM
bloodraynes.bsky.social
Beautifully taken Sabine and it looks like all is well 😌🤍🦢

Just back from checking on swan lady Jill who’s doing fine obviously. She appreciates to be featured in Alan’s #BirdOfTheDay theme today.
#CamoOrContrast #swan #swanwatch #naturephotography #birds #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social Sabine Shutterbug @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social · Apr 25
Just back from checking on swan lady Jill who’s doing fine obviously. She appreciates to be featured in Alan’s #BirdOfTheDay theme today.
#CamoOrContrast #swan #swanwatch #naturephotography #birds #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
Swan lady Jill takes a quiet moment to preen herself while keeping her eggs warm, nestled deep in a bed of dry reeds at the water's edge. Her brilliant white plumage glows against the tangle of golden-brown reed stems and bright spears of new spring growth behind her, a study in contrast between purity and the raw, weathered textures of her lakeside home. With her graceful neck curved inward and her vivid orange-and-black bill attending to her feathers, she is the picture of calm devotion: simultaneously mother, beauty, and guardian.
April 25, 2026 at 9:18 AM
bloodraynes.bsky.social
That’s great news Sabine!! 🤩❤️🤍👍🏼
and a fantastic photograph as well, my friend ☺️👍🏼

Good news from the #SwanWatch, Jill is still hatching and Jack is back doing his rounds on the pond protecting his family.
#birds #naturephotography #swan #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social Sabine Shutterbug @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social · May 11
Good news from the #SwanWatch, Jill is still hatching and Jack is back doing his rounds on the pond protecting his family.
#birds #naturephotography #swan #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
Almost six weeks since Jack and Jill first broke ground on their reed platform, and the world around the nest has moved on into full spring, but Jill has not moved at all. She sits exactly where she has always sat, settled low and steady into the woven bed of dry reeds, her white body a still point in a world that has erupted into green around her. The fresh reeds have shot up thick and tall since April, their vivid blades now framing Jill on all sides, slowly reclaiming the view. Every week the nest becomes a little harder to find, a little more tucked away, nature quietly drawing a curtain around her. What was once an open winter shore is now a living, rustling screen of new growth, and Jill sits at the heart of it, calm and unhurried, her elegant neck curved with that same composed grace as always.
May 11, 2026 at 12:25 PM
bloodraynes.bsky.social
Such an intimate & beautifully taken shot Sabine & the #AltText is sensational!! 🤩🤍👍🏼

Everything’s fine with Jack and Jill. She’s still hatching, has been relentlessly, patiently since 15 April.
#SwanWatch #swanday #birds #birdphotography #naturephotography #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social Sabine Shutterbug @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social · May 17
Everything’s fine with Jack and Jill. She’s still hatching, has been relentlessly, patiently since 15 April.
#SwanWatch #swanday #birds #birdphotography #naturephotography #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
The fresh reeds have all but closed ranks around the nest now, but the telephoto lens slips through the gaps and finds Jill in a moment of pure stillness. Her neck is curved softly downward, bill tucked under the warm fold of her own wing, that classic posture of deep rest, the one swans adopt when the world can wait and the body finally asks for a little peace. It is not sleep exactly. More like a pause. A closing of the eyes between one act of devotion and the next. Four weeks have passed since Jill first settled over her eggs on the 15th of April, four weeks of unbroken turning, warming and watching, and she allows herself this one small luxury, her bill nestled into her own feathers like a secret kept close. The golden light catches the curve of her head, the softness of her plumage, the quiet rise and fall of a creature completely at ease in her purpose. Jack is back on the water. The reeds stand tall around her. And Jill rests, just for a moment, with perhaps another week or two still to go before the nest gets very busy indeed.
May 17, 2026 at 10:39 AM
bloodraynes.bsky.social
Beautifully and tenderly taken Sabine and #JillTheSwan is doing a fabulous job 🦢🤍👌🏼☺️

Jill on the job, patiently and gracefully.
#swanwatch #swan #birds #naturephotography #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
May 3, 2026 at 10:20 AM
bloodraynes.bsky.social
LOVE this Sabine 🤩😂👌🏼👌🏼 Brilliant post and captures my friend ☺️👍🏼👍🏼

“Home Improvement”
A story in four photos, more in the ALT text.
##SwanWatch #birds #swan #WackyWednesdayArt #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social Sabine Shutterbug @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social · Apr 8
“Home Improvement”
A story in four photos, more in the ALT text.
##SwanWatch #birds #swan #WackyWednesdayArt #photography
#PhotographersOfBluesky #ECK
Photo 1: Jill the mute swan glides along the reed bed, neck stretched low over the water, eyes narrowed. She has a look. The nest is fine. But it could be better. Photo 2: Decision made. Head goes straight under. No hesitation. If it’s wet, tangled, and smells of pond, it’s exactly what she’s looking for. Photo 3: She resurfaces gripping a dripping clump of aquatic weeds, reed roots, and assorted pond debris. Glamorous work. Someone has to do it. Photo 4: Neck raised in a satisfied curve, she looks as if she smiling to herself. Jack is somewhere standing guard and looking important. Jill is actually building the whole thing.
April 8, 2026 at 7:26 PM
punkfence.bsky.social
Paula (the wildlife rehabber) sent updates on the rescued cygnet today. This has got to be my two favourite photos

The baby is strong, and healthy, and will be re-released once she's big enough

#swanwatch #cygnets #UKWildlife
Small grey cygnet with a black beak in an orange warming pouch That same cygnet launches forward to quack at the camera
May 13, 2025 at 9:12 PM
sarahwildlifephoto.bsky.social
The elegance and beauty of the mute swan 🦢

📸 Sarah Photography ©️

#muteswan #swan #swans #nature #wildlife #birds #swanlovers #muteswans #cygnets #naturephotography #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #swanphotography #bird #babyswans #photography #swanlings #naturelovers #cygnet #swanwatch
September 7, 2025 at 5:06 PM
lewylady.bsky.social
#SwanWatch #ExhibitionPark #Newcastle 3 days old
May 20, 2025 at 9:50 PM
adrianpgibson.bsky.social
Spring is definitely on its way. Mr Swan has happily working on the nest yesterday in the sunshine 🥚

#swans #swanwatch #nest #spring #sunshine #brockwellpark #hernehill #lambeth
March 1, 2025 at 5:13 PM
bloodraynes.bsky.social
Well done #JillTheSwan 🦢 and Sabine for capturing this beautiful spectacle 🤩🦢❤️

JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 4
Finally she seemed to have finished, checked her clutch once more and settled down for the long time of hatching.
#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social Sabine Shutterbug @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social · Apr 15
JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 4
Finally she seemed to have finished, checked her clutch once more and settled down for the long time of hatching.
#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
April 15, 2026 at 10:10 AM
bloodraynes.bsky.social
This is wonderful Sabine!! 🤩🦢🤍

JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 3
She went on, patiently, one egg after another, with me watching in fascination.
#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social Sabine Shutterbug @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social · Apr 15
JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 3
She went on, patiently, one egg after another, with me watching in fascination.
#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
April 15, 2026 at 10:08 AM
bloodraynes.bsky.social
Ooo Sabine 🤩🦢

JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Prt 2
Usually mute swans normally lay one egg every 1–2 days,so seeing multiple eggs laid in a single sitting within minutes is highly unusual,but Jill didn’t waste any time A magical moment!

#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social Sabine Shutterbug @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social · Apr 15
JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 2
Usually mute swans normally lay one egg every 1–2 days, so seeing multiple eggs laid in a single sitting within minutes is highly unusual, but Jill didn’t waste any time. A magical moment!

#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
April 15, 2026 at 10:07 AM
bloodraynes.bsky.social
Oooo exciting Sabine 🤩🦢👍🏼

JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 1
Got to Jill this morning when she was just in the process of laying her eggs a little while ago.
#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
sabineshutterbug.bsky.social Sabine Shutterbug @sabineshutterbug.bsky.social · Apr 15
JACK & JILL NEWSFLASH
Part 1
Got to Jill this morning when she was just in the process of laying her eggs a little while ago.
#SwanWatch #swan #birds #animalphotography #nature #naturephotography
A a magical moment to witness! Caught Jill right on the nest, settled low into the reeds in that classic incubating posture with her neck gently curved downward. The nest looks beautifully constructed a large mound of dry reed stems lined with white down feathers plucked from her own breast, which is typical of mute swans. That soft white fluff around the base of the nest is a great sign; it means she's actively preparing a warm, insulated cup for the eggs. The first egg! Mute swans lay their eggs one at a time, usually every other day, so spotting just one egg on the first day is completely expected. She will usually continue laying until the clutch is complete, typically 5–8 eggs, and only then begin full-time incubation so all the cygnets hatch around the same time.
April 15, 2026 at 10:05 AM