Two well-known Nantwich residents are celebrating the arrival of a newborn!
The River Weaver at Mill Island in the town has played home to two mating swans over the past few weeks.
And many residents strolling along the river have watched with interest as the majestic birds have taken their turn to sit on three eggs in their riverside nest.
This week, one of the eggs has hatched and produced this gorgeous cygnet.
This picture, one of a series taken by local photographers Ashford Daly, shows Cheshire wildlife at its best.
The male Cob and female Pen have taken it in turns to sit on their eggs on a nest of twigs, leaves and moss.
Officials from the Royal Society for Protection of Birds have been working with Nantwich Town Council to raise awareness of the nest, as hundreds of walkers and visitors pass by it each day.
“The RSPB have indicated to some locals we were talking to, these eggs may not have been fertilised, and so may never hatch,” said Ashford Daly.
“We’ll just have to wait and see. That is a shame if proved correct, but at least one of the eggs did, and we think he/she is a right cheerful character!”
See here more fabulous pictures of the swans by Ashford Daly
If anyone goes down to see them they must remember NOT to feed the swans or the baby WHITE bread as this could kill them. White bread can cause Angel Wing disease in ducks and has no nutritional value what so ever. RSPCA volunteers have been removing bread from the area as big chunks are often just left there which is attracting rats which could harm the Cygnet. There is currently a sign being made to inform people.