Kingston Foreshore residents come to the rescue of slippery cygnets

The new foreshore arrivals. Picture: Supplied

The Kingston Foreshore is not all glitzy apartments and pubs and cafes. No, those who live there also delight in the little things, including what the natural world can deliver on their doorstep.

Tracey McNichol tells us foreshore residents have been eagerly awaiting the hatching of cygnets in Norgrove Park.

"On Monday, three cygnets hatched and a crowd of residents have been visiting multiple times a day to check on the adorable fluffy babies," she said.

"We have been watching them as they gain confidence and their first entry into the water. We also watched yesterday when the mother and one of the babies fell down the small weir to the entrance of Lake Burley Griffin.

The residents worked tirelessly when the cygnets and parents became stuck at the bottom of a weir. Picture: Supplied

"The mother tried for couple hours to get the baby back up, to return to the rest of the family. The baby would climb onto the mother's back but every time she'd jump to the top of the weir, the baby fell off back into the water.

"That's when the foreshore residents all rallied together to help save the baby."

The residents constructed a makeshift ramp "from anything found in apartment storage cages".

"We'd hoped the baby could climb up it but with little luck. Eventually the mother gave up and the baby was alone. With a little help from ACT Wildlife we netted the baby and returned it to the family," Tracey said.

The residents will keep a close eye on the progress of the cygnets. Picture: Supplied

"The baby swam enthusiastically back to them, who met the little one part way. We had a crowd of residents watch this, many crying tears of joy at the sight of the reunion."

But, alas, when the residents returned the next morning, all three cygnets and the parents were down the bottom of the weir.

"The parents were trying to get the babies back up and were clearly stressed, having no luck," Tracey said.

"Once again, the residents rallied together, a wider ramp was placed there and corn, lettuce and oats were trailed along the ramp.

"The residents watched eagerly as eventually the cygnets took their first steps on the new ramp and followed the trail of food to the top, then safely back to the top of the weir. ACT Parks and Wildlife have said they'll try to get a permanent ramp installed for next season.

"It's so warming to see all the residents care so much about their feathered residents. It shows so much community spirit."