Victoria and Albert – regular nesters at Dawsons Cove, Newlands Arm

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Victoria and Albert have been nesting at Dawsons Cove for a couple of years. Sadly, last season someone vandalised the nest and destroyed the eggs. The couple were devastated.

Victoria and Albert. August 2018. Photo courtesy C Poeschel-Livingstone.

The above photograph was taken before the nest was destroyed.

27th July 2019: Victoria and Albert have established another nest at Dawsons Cove, Newlands Arm.

Victoria on the nest.
Victoria on the nest. Five eggs!
Victoria and eggs.
Victoria and eggs.
Victoria.
Albert cruising around on the water.
Victoria on the nest, Albert nearby checking out the tourists.

29th July 2019 – A visit to see Victoria and Albert. An egg is missing, so now the couple only have four eggs.

Victoria and Albert. Only four eggs now. 29th July 2019.
Victoria and Albert. 29th July 2019.
Victoria and Albert. 29th July 2019.
Victoria on nest with Albert nearby. 29th July 2019.

30th July 2019: Everyone at Newlands Arm is keeping an eye on our favourite nesters Victoria and Albert. Locals regularly bring food and check on the couple.

Victoria on the nest.
Victoria heading for a meal break.
Victoria having a snack.
Victoria. Nest in background with four eggs.
Victoria.
Victoria. Nest in background with four eggs.
Victoria.
Victoria.
Victoria.
Victoria returning to nest. Four eggs.
Looking from the pier across to Victoria sitting on the nest.

31st July 2019 – Beautiful day at Dawsons Cove. Victoria on the nest, Albert is away cruising on the backwater.

Victoria committed to looking after her eggs. 31st July 2019.
Victoria with pier in background. 31st July 2019.
Victoria with pier in background. 31st July 2019.
Victoria with car park in background. 31st July 2019.

2nd August 2019: At Dawsons Cove our favourite couple are nesting. Albert who has been away, is sitting on the nest! As you can see Victoria is close by swimming and gathering food. Incubation of the eggs has started, we estimate about 6 days. Therefore, 36 days to go. Residents at Newlands Arm have been keeping a vigil on the couple; it is fantastic to see the community rally around Victoria and Albert.

Albert on the nest, while Victoria is swimming nearby and rummaging for food.
Albert proudly sitting on the nest and protecting the eggs.
Victoria swimming close by.
Albert on the nest.
Albert on the nest.
Albert on the nest.
The nest with Albert in the foreground, Victoria swimming but not too far. 2nd August 2019.

3rd August 2019: A very cold day at Dawsons Cove, Newlands Arm. Albert is diligently sitting on the nest and caring for the eggs. We have not had a glimpse of the eggs for five days now, hoping there are still four. The couple are not leaving the nest unattended at all, except when there is a quick swap over.

Albert on the nest.
Albert on the nest, Victoria nearby.
Albert and Victoria.
Albert on the nest with Victoria swimming in the background.
Albert and Victoria.
Albert on the nest with Victoria rummaging for food in the background. 3rd August 2019.
Victoria moving around on the nest.

6th August 2019: Beautiful day at Dawsons Cove, Newlands Arm. Victoria is on the nest. Albert swimming some distance away, around other side of the cove.

Victoria being comfortable on the nest.
Victoria gives us a glimpse of the four eggs.
Victoria shuffling the eggs around.
Victoria shuffling the eggs around.
Victoria shuffling the eggs around.
Victoria almost settled on the nest. 6th August 2019.
Victoria now settled on the nest. 6th August 2019.
Victoria completely relaxed. 6th August 2019.

8th August 2019: Arrived with Victoria sitting on the nest and about to make an exchange with Albert. Incubation of the eggs has been 12 days, 30 days to go!

Albert shufflng the eggs.

11th August 2019: It was good seeing the couple in high spirits today despite the weather being windy and cold.

Victoria on the nest.
Here is Albert! Coming in from the backwater and very happy to see us. 

12th August 2019: It was a delight visiting the couple today, the timing was perfect to watch the change over of the nest. Albert was on the nest on arrival and then they swapped to Victoria. 12th August 2019:

Albert sitting on the nest.
Albert on the nest.
Albert snoozing on the nest.
Victoria on her way to the nest, doing arotation with Albert.
Victoria checking on the eggs.
Victoria about to go on the nest, but must fluff out her feathers first. Albert in the background swimming.

17th August 2019: Brilliant day at Dawsons Cove. Found Albert sitting proudly on the nest and Victoria swimming nearby.

Albert on the nest.
Albert on the nest.
Albert on the nest looking at the backwater. 
Albert on the nest. Victoria swimming towards Albert.
Albert on the nest, with Victoria on the backwater.
Victoria on the backwater.

19th August 2019: Windy and freezing cold day at Dawsons Cove, but Victoria was determinedly sitting on the nest. Albert was on the lake.

Victoria determinedly sitting on the nest on a very cold and windy day. 
Victoria determinedly sitting on the nest on a very cold and windy day. 

21st August 2019: Albert found on the nest. Tide is high and very cold, wet and windy weather but nest is safe. We estimate about 19 days to go.

Albert.
Albert on the nest.
Albert on the nest.
Albert sound asleep on the nest, while wind, high tide, and strong waves are almost reaching him!

23rd August 2019: Great seeing Albert on the nest today. We could see Victoria in the distance swimming in the backwater and looking for food.

Albert on the nest.

24th August 2019: Albert is on the nest and Victoria is swimming in the Newlands Backwater.

25th August 2019: A pleasant day at Dawsons Cove, Victoria initially resting on the nest and then was joined by Albert. They both worked on bolstering the nest. A good indication some rough weather might be on its way.

Victoria asleep on the nest.
Victoria asleep on the nest.
Albert comes in from the backwater. 

26th August 2019: Visited Dawsons Cove today and found Albert sitting on the nest. Victoria was in the distance swimming in the Newlands Backwater.

Albert on the nest.


Albert on the nest.
Albert on the nest.
Albert on the nest having a snooze.

27th August 2019: Very exciting afternoon at Dawsons Cove today. Victoria has hatched her first cygnet with a second egg cracked and ready to hatch very soon. The couple are delighted. It is important we give Victoria space to bond with her cygnet/s.

28th August 2019: At Dawsons Cove Albert is on the nest today, a second cygnet has hatched. Victoria is swimming on the backwater and having a break from the nest.

29th August 2019: The third day at Dawsons Cove. Victoria and Albert have two of four eggs hatched. The remaining two eggs look good and should hatch soon.

30th August 2019: The fourth day at Dawsons Cove. Victoria and Albert have just returned from swimming in the backwater. Victoria has returned to the nest, their are still two viable eggs to be hatched.

Victoria and two cygnets.
Victoria and two cygnets.
Albert, Victoria and two cygnets.
Albert, Victoria and two cygnets.

1st September 2019: Victoria is on the nest incubating the last two eggs. Albert was out on the backwater swimming, and then decided to come in. While the last two eggs have not hatched, technically there are still 6 days of the incubation period left. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

Victoria on the nest, the cygnets are under cover of her wings.
Victoria having a snooze on the nest. 
Albert swimming on the backwater.

3rd September 2019: Victoria and Albert with their cygnets swimming and rummaging for food at Dawsons Cove. Sadly someone has taken the last two eggs from the nest.