Mill Creek, which borders Chelsea and Revere, has been home to a pair of wild mating swans whose story continues to unfold. Nearly two years ago, the male swan Gus arrived at the creek, and residents from both communities soon developed a connection with him. Patricia Buckley, a Chelsea resident, has been particularly devoted to observing and feeding the birds. Last fall, neighbors were startled when Gus disappeared for approximately two weeks before returning with a female companion. The two swans mated, and beginning in late May, the female constructed a nest near the Cronin Skating Rink parking lot to hold her eggs. Earlier this month, the eggs hatched, though only two of the five proved viable. Tragically, water rats appear to have killed one of the young swans, while the other drowned. The remaining three eggs were also destroyed by rats. “It was a lovely experience watching all this happen,” said Buckley. “There were hundreds of people that were attracted to the nest. A lot of people were talking about it.”
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