BOSTON, Massachusetts — Swans have long been a beloved feature of the Charles River Esplanade, but the story of one particular family has moved from a delightful local sighting to a touching narrative of loss and profound resilience. What began as a heartwarming tale of a pair preparing to raise their young in the park’s lagoon has turned into a powerful testament to paternal devotion after an unexpected tragedy.
The journey of the swan family began this spring. Emma Feeney, Marketing and Events Coordinator for the Esplanade Association, detailed their appearance to The Dodo: “In early April, we first noticed they had a nest along the pillars by the lagoon. Then shortly after, we saw that the female swan had begun to lay eggs.” By early May, nine eggs had been laid, and roughly ten days ago, seven cygnets successfully hatched, instantly making the doting family “celebrities in Boston over the past few weeks,” Feeney confirmed.
Baby swans made their debut on the Esplanade this week and we cannot get over the pure cuteness of the newly hatched cygnets! Enjoy a collection of photos of our Espla-swan family from @NBC10Boston at https://t.co/jlEqXJb4fE
📸: Mark Garfinkel pic.twitter.com/1nTF1Uwx74
— Charles River Esplanade (@EsplanadeBoston) May 27, 2021
A Devoted Bond Shattered
Mute swans are famed for their monogamy, typically mating for life and sharing the intricate parental duties—feeding, protecting, and keeping their offspring warm—during the vital first weeks. However, this idyllic scene was shattered last Monday when the mother swan suddenly fell ill and passed away at the Charles River.
Sylvia J. Zarco, who was observing the family that night, witnessed the heartbreaking decline. “She was resting, sheltering her cygnets like the great mom she’s been for the past week. But she couldn’t lift and hold up her head. She stumbled when she stood, couldn’t swim straight and whatever she did, she only propelled herself backwards,” Zarco wrote in a moving account on Facebook.
The father’s dilemma was visibly painful: “Dad wouldn’t leave her. When the cygnets went for a swim, you could see how torn he was between staying with and encouraging his mate and protecting their young.”
Welcoming the weekend with these stunning shots of the Esplanade’s adorable swan squad! 🦢🐣🌊
Share your name suggestions for the newly hatched cygnets below! ⬇️
📸: @jackdarylphotography pic.twitter.com/0czqcMA2Fu
— Charles River Esplanade (@EsplanadeBoston) May 28, 2021
A Quiet Act of Acceptance
Despite the quick intervention of Boston Animal Control, the mother swan had already succumbed. Zarco’s observation of the father’s reaction as the body was recovered was particularly poignant.
“But Dad must have known that already for even though he sat across the lagoon from where she lay, every time before when it looked like someone or something was endangering her, he’d charge across the water to fiercely protect her. But when Brad approached her, picked her up out of the water, wrapped her gently in a blanket, Dad did not move. He calmly sat at the nest with their cygnets safely tucked under his wings.”
The city’s veterinarian was unable to determine a cause of death for the wild bird, a revelation that deepened the community’s sorrow. “The swan’s death broke many of the hearts of the community here in Boston, where we see people visiting the swans’ nest on a daily basis — it’s become part of their daily routine,” Feeney said.
Papa Swan carrying his babies on his back 🥺❤️ @wbz @EsplanadeBoston pic.twitter.com/SqEQkKkV9s
— Anna Meiler (@AnnaMeiler) June 4, 2021
The Great Father of the Lagoon
In the face of devastating loss, the male swan has immediately, and admirably, embraced his role as a single parent, demonstrating unwavering commitment to his young.
“They seem to be doing well,” Feeney reported. “You can spot them in the esplanade lagoon swimming together, with some of the babies riding along on his back.” His protectiveness is fierce and immediate. “Geese will swim by them and you can tell that the papa swan is in full force, protecting the cygnets,” she added. “You can tell that he’s just a great, great father to them. It’s very adorable.”
This dedicated father is ensuring the seven cygnets have the best possible chance to grow up strong, eventually find mates, and perhaps, one day, return to the Charles River to continue the cycle of life. For now, he provides a powerful source of hope and inspiration for the entire community. “They’ve been through so much, but they seem so strong,” Feeney concluded, confirming that the swan dad is truly the hero Boston needs to root for.
