The Mute Swan is one of Great Britain's most loved species, not only loved but  afforded a unique status, not just protected but in fact every swan in England is the property of Her Majesty the Queen. They are such a massive part of the landscape that they are not treated as wild birds but taken for granted by everyone.  Sadly there have been recent reports of  attacks on swans by migrants from parts of Eastern Europe where they are not protected.  They are a massive bird with a huge wingspan.  They feed like a goose by grazing grass and eating water weeds.  Cygnets spend the first year of their lives as brown, dull birds and in the following spring they start to aquire their adult snowy white plumage.  Most people are familiar with the Hans Christian Anderson story that tells of the ugly duckling that is driven away in the autumn and then returns in the spring as a magnificent white swan. This is not particularly accurate as young swans at this time of the year are also quite handsome (as you can see).