AFTER one of Dawlish’s iconic black swans, a male, was killed by a dog in the late hours of Sunday, February 20, seven eggs were taken away for safekeeping.

Dawlish waterfowl warden Steve Cole explained: ‘The parents take turns incubating the eggs and with five days left to go we could not let the mother do that stint by herself and so we made the decision to incubate them in the waterfowl centre.

‘Of the initial seven eggs, five hatched out starting last Saturday with the last two popping out Sunday night

‘They’re all doing well and seem healthy but they’re not ready for the display window in the aviary yet as they’re enjoying the heat lamp too much at the moment.’

PHOTO: Steve Pope.