Delight as Beloved Pittville Park Swans George and Maisie Welcome Seven New Cygnets

Pittville Swans & Friends proudly announce that George and Maisie, the treasured swans of Pittville Park, have become proud parents to seven healthy cygnets. The fluffy newcomers hatched just days ago at the Cheltenham lakes and made their first swim on the afternoon of May 6, delighting local visitors.

George, a 21-year-old cob, and Maisie, a five-year-old pen, share a unique bond. Though swans typically mate for life, George lost his previous partner, Zelda, to a leg infection in 2021. Maisie joined George’s life about four years ago, marking a new chapter for the pair.

Maisie proved resilient and nurturing, despite an early setback when her first brood of five cygnets was tragically lost to predators within two days. This year marks their fourth successful nesting together, showcasing their enduring partnership.

Chris and Simone Heathershaw, alongside Carol Lewis, expressed their delight and cautious optimism: “We’ve received so many heartfelt congratulations that we almost feel like proud parents ourselves. While seeing the ‘Magnificent Seven’ is wonderful, this stage remains vulnerable as predation risks persist. Every morning, we watch anxiously for all the cygnets to safely take to the water—a moment eagerly awaited by many followers of Pittville Swans & Friends on Facebook.”

Interestingly, swans do not feed their young directly. Instead, George and Maisie will stir the lake bed with their feet to bring up aquatic plants and nutrient-rich debris, encouraging the cygnets to feed naturally. For this reason, human feeding is neither necessary nor recommended during their early weeks.

George is notably protective, and park visitors are advised to maintain a respectful distance for the safety of both swans and cygnets. To further safeguard the young wildlife during this critical period, park users are encouraged to keep dogs on leads and out of the water.