Published: 5 June, 2013
By DAN CARRIER

BABY swans which were proving a star attraction at one of Hampstead Heath's ponds have been killed, with the culprit thought to be a fox or a big fish.

Seven of the eight cygnets born at Highgate Number One pond have disappeared. It is thought they were either hunted down by foxes or dragged to a watery grave by large mirror carp fish who live in the pond, where fishing is banned.

The depleted family was discovered over the weekend, just as a second brood was hatching half a mile away at the Bird Sanctuary Lake, sandwiched between the Ladies Pond and the Highgate Number Three Pond.

Long queues of Heath walkers peered over a fence to watch them break out of their eggs and come flapping into the world.

Heath managers the City of London have been keeping a watchful eye on the nests.

Heath ecologist Meg Game told the New Journal: "The eight eggs are close by a main pathway, behind some railings on the edge of the Bird Sanctuary, and the cygnets have calmly put up with the gaze of many admiring visitors. 

"Yesterday (Monday) there was almost a queue to see them, so the City of London Corporation has put up a chest-high screen to provide seclusion, especially from dogs. Swans usually have up to seven eggs, so eight is unusual, although 13 is known. The incubation period is over a month.

"Another pair of swans, on Highgate no 1 Pond, hatched several cygnets – but yesterday there was only one left – out on the water with its parents. The others may have been taken by a fox or even a large carp – so we have temporarily closed the main dog swimming area of this pond to protect them.”