Five cygnets were moved from the Bishop's Palace moat in Wells after months of refusing to leave — despite being old enough to fly.

The Palace called in Bath Swan Rescue on Thursday morning after trying to let last year's young swans depart naturally. But while some cygnets have flown off as early as October in previous years, this year all six stayed put into March and kept returning to the moat.

One finally set off on Monday, 9 March, leaving five still in residence.

With Grace settling on the nest and a new hatching season looming, the Palace said expert advice was taken before the decision was made to relocate the remaining birds.

Rescuers gently lured the cygnets onto Palace Green with food before beginning the careful capture.

Three were said to be fairly cooperative. Two were rather less keen to give up their palace lifestyle.

But all five were safely secured, wrapped for the short trip, kept calm and hydrated, and then transported to Chew Valley Lake, where they were released among the resident flock.

The update was shared by the Palace's "Swan Whisperer", Moira, who said staff had hoped the birds would leave under their own steam before intervention became necessary.

advertisement

The Palace thanked volunteers from Bath Swan Rescue for their help and said attention would now turn back to the moat as Grace settles on the nest and Gabriel prepares for the hatching ahead.

More local stories

• Wells driver warned after revving car 'for fun'
• Wells weekend picks: cathedral music, quiz night and a writing retreat

Subscribe to the free Wells Nub News newsletter Get the biggest Wells stories straight to your inbox.