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Leeds Castle, Maidstone, reveals cygnets and ducklings hatched during warm winter

13:53, 27 December 2015

The unseasonably warm weather has seen baby swans and ducks hatch at Leeds Castle.

Cygnets are rarely seen this time of year, but because of the unusually mild weather there have been additions to the 29-strong flock, the young of proud parents Romeo and Juliet.

Black swans are capable of breeding twice a year and can lay at any time, but usually it is too cold for their young to survive in the winter months.

One of the winter cygnets. Picture: Leeds Castle
One of the winter cygnets. Picture: Leeds Castle

Visitors have also been treated to the sight of ducklings.

James McComiskey, wildlife warden at the attraction, said: “We don’t often see cygnets on the lake at this time of year.

The cygnets huddle together. Picture: Leeds Castle
The cygnets huddle together. Picture: Leeds Castle

"If it gets frosty and cold I would have to grab them but they are surviving out there by themselves so far.

“Having ducklings in November is unheard of. They suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Cygnets are born early at Leeds Castle. Picture: Leeds Castle
Cygnets are born early at Leeds Castle. Picture: Leeds Castle

“Usually it is lovely and quiet and you can just spend Christmas preparing for next year but now we have cygnets and ducklings to keep an eye on, I have a hedgehog in the office, chicken eggs and baby fowl to look after.

“But you can’t complain and the visitors love them.”

Have you seen any unseasonably early goings on this winter - animals being born already or flowers blooming long before spring? Send pictures and details, along with your name and phone number, to messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk and they could feature in the Kent Messenger or on KentOnline.

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