The tracking of Whooper Swans will enable us to learn more about the swans' migration route, the areas where they stop off to feed and rest and key information about the height and speed at which they fly. This information will help us to protect their flyways and thus safeguard their future.
There are a number of factors that can threaten the survival of Whooper swans both during their migration and on their breeding / wintering grounds.
Swans caught at WWT centres during the winter have been X-rayed and 10% to 12% were found to have lead shot in their body as many are shot illegally during their migration.- Offshore and onshore wind farms could potentially be harmful to Whooper Swans as they are at risk of flying into the wind turbines.
- Land use change can adversely affect the availability of feeding and roost sites on the wintering grounds.
- Climate change is improving opportunities for more intensive farming in Iceland which causes conflict between swans and agriculture. Climate change may have many other positive and negative effects which need to be researched.
- Drainage of wetland breeding sites, or large scale habitat loss through hydropower schemes, may reduce the swans' breeding range.