STOUGHTON —
The swan has loved, lost and loved again. Now, he’s an expectant father.
The male mute swan of Pinewood Pond in Stoughton is guarding a new nest with a new mate, the latest development in a wildlife love story that has captivated neighbors.
“It is just so beautiful and so loving to see,” said Carol Neville, the neighborhood’s head swan-watcher.
Neighbors of the 25-acre pond mourned right along with him last spring, when his former mate suffered a fatal animal attack. He tried in vain to save her eight eggs, and kept to himself in heartbroken solitude.
Then came Autumn Grace.
She swooped in sometime in October. She was shy at first, and neighbors worried when they noticed she and the male swan weren’t spending much time together.
Recently, though, Neville has spotted the two facing each other, eye to eye, with their beaks pointing downward. The positioning of their bodies and heads forms a heart shape.
Neighbors got their hopes up a few weeks ago, when they saw the male building a nest, and Neville confirmed the good news during the recent heavy rains.
She’d seen the swans diving into the pond, known in some circles as Harrison’s Pond, and worried that something was wrong. It turns out the couple was diving for reeds to elevate the nest above the rising waters.
Neville isn’t sure exactly how many eggs are in the nest but said she’s counted at least two or three.
Wildlife experts have told her to expect baby swans between late May and mid-June.
Until then, she and her neighbors will watch the male stand guard. He’s on sentry duty, chasing away ducks and geese.
Neville is happy to see him back to his old self, and hoping the offspring stay safe from snapping turtles and passing cars. He has been through enough heartbreak.
