where are the babies?

[Ringleywood]

We've been observing 2 swans on the fishing lodge near us, they made a nest and Mrs has been on that nest non-stop for all this time, protected by Mr who hisses when you get too near! We have been popping round to see them a couple of times a week, but didn't manage to go thois weekend as we were busy, but when we went last night I was surprised to see both swans in the lake without any cygnets to be seen. We went to see the nest and ofcourse it was empty, nothing to be seen, not a feather, not an egg shell. What's happened? We are so upset and disappointed after all this time, could this have been a phantom pregnancy? Anyone know anything?

[ron1863]

Same thing happened to me a few weeks back, both parents protecting the last cygnet, which still had it's downy feathers on. Went back and spotted the cygnet lying dead in the water.
There are a lot of Mink around my area so I think one has got to the cygnet.