The Bewick’s are back early – could this mean a cold winter ahead?
The first Bewick’s swans flew into Slimbridge yesterday, bringing with them cold temperatures and crisp clear skies! Eight birds settled onto the reserve after completing a gruelling 2,500 mile journey from breeding grounds in the Russian arctic. This was the earliest arrival at Slimbridge since 2003 when the first birds also arrived on the 18th. The swans were also quick to reach the Netherlands this autumn with over 100 counted at Lauwersmeer by 1 October according to swan spotter Wim Tijsen. Their early arrival in Northwest Europe may indicate more cold weather ahead; as the old Russian tale says, ‘the swan brings snow on its bill’!
Two of the new arrivals are a favourite pair called Risa and Riso. Risa has been visiting Slimbridge faithfully since 1999 and brought new mate Riso with her for the first time last winter. With them is a two year old bird, Blagdon, and five yearlings. Risa, Riso and Blagdon have remained on the reserve overnight and have been spending most of their time sleeping on Swan Lake, recovering from their long migration. Having been to Slimbridge before, all three are very much used to the routine of the daily feeds so visitors are being treated to very close views! More unusually, the Bewick’s were joined by a lone Whooper swan this morning. The bird was ringed at WWT Welney, Norfolk, in 2007 and will have migrated from Iceland. It was a nice surprise as few Whooper swans visit Gloucestershire with most choosing to winter further north or around Welney.
With north-easterly winds and plunging temperatures forecasted for tonight, we can expect many more swans to arrive at Slimbridge and Welney in the coming days, transforming our reserves into white winter wonderlands once again!
