But they are only part of the menagerie of animals who call the duck pond officially known as Lake Spencer home.

The new arrivals hatched on Tuesday and within a day were paddling in the water, with both parents not letting them out of their sight.

But mum and dad can't be blamed for being over-protective as a couple of crows have been camped only metres just waiting for an opportunity to pounce.

Bathurst Regional Council's parks manager Peter Navin said yesterday it was the first time to his knowledge the pair of black swans who reside in Lake Spencer have successfully hatched young.

"Once the word gets out the cygnets are sure to be a real drawcard," he said.

"Taking the kids to feed the ducks at Lake Spencer has been something of an institution in the city for generations of families. But while it's great to feed the ducks, please don't give the cygnets bread because it's not good for them."

Parks staffer Robert Wootton said the black swan originally sat on four eggs.

"Only three hatched and within a day they were in the water," he said.

"They are like little balls of fluff. Mum and dad haven't left their side since they came along.

"But the swans are only some of the wildlife that live in the duck pond. We've got about eight eastern longneck turtles who love to sun themselves and when they do it's stacks on the mill.

"We've also got a water dragon that's been here for a couple of years now. He's a fat boy and must like it there, but he gets on with everything else."

Mr Wootton said there's also any number of black ducks as well as brightly coloured domestic ducks.

"And don't forget the koi carp. You can't miss them because some are at least a couple of foot long and are easily seen just below the surface," he said.