A FLUFFY little cygnet has become the first new arrival at the Abbotsbury Swannery this year.
The first of hundreds of cygnets to hatch at the venue this year arrived today, with the first hatching apparently marking the first day of summer.
The youngster emerged from its egg earlier today and scores more baby birds are due to arrive in the coming weeks.
The Abbotsbury swans have made 94 nests and laid more than 500 eggs this season.
Swanherds hope to see around 400 cygnets take to the water this year, accompanied by their proud and protective parents.
Deputy swanherd Steve Groves said: “We know quite closely when the first cygnet is likely to hatch but the signs are that the female can become restless.
“And sometimes you can hear the baby cheeping from inside the eggshell.”
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