Swan news
Highest number of swans since 1991!
A total of 261 Bewick's swans have visited Slimbridge so far this winter, the highest number seen here by 10 December since 1991, when 333 were recorded during another period of cold weather where temperatures similarly dipped to -8C. The freezing conditi
10 December 2010
Oldest swan arrives breaking all records!
We were thrilled to see the return of Winterling this morning, who at the age of 28 years, has broken the record for the oldest swan known to have visited Slimbridge! Winterling first visited the reserve as a cygnet in 1982 with her parents Albert and Rac
1 December 2010
Snow triggers swan fall!
Freezing temperatures and north-easterly winds have triggered our first 'swan fall' of the winter with 24 new birds arriving overnight, pushing the reserve count up to 120! A total of 135 swans have now visited the reserve this winter which is higher than
30 November 2010
Return of a golden oldie!
We were thrilled to see the return of golden oldie Bacan this afternoon! Bacan first visited Slimbridge as a yearling in 1991 which means he is now 20 years old! Bewick's swans can live to at least 29 years old in the wild and we are eagerly awaiting the
26 November 2010
An intriguing association....
Sometimes, relationships between swans are not as they seem and recent observations have certainly left us wondering about three particular Slimbridge visitors. For the past six years, a swan named Nero has spent her winters at the reserve with what we as
26 November 2010
Crinkly's father returns with an un-crinkly cygnet!
The Slimbridge reserve is humming with life at the moment as north-easterly winds and plummeting temperatures have encouraged many more winter migrants to arrive. There were 57 hungry Bewick's at the feed this morning and 34 of those have arrived since Sa
24 November 2010
Divorcee Sarindi still with Sarind!
Sarindi, the female swan who unusually divorced from old mate Saruni last year, has arrived back at Slimbridge! As Bewick's swans form famously loyal partnerships during their lifetimes, mating for life where they can, the divorce of Sarindi and Saruni an
18 November 2010
First family fly in with the Tea Party!
Swan Lake was bustling with activity this morning as 14 new swans arrived overnight, pushing the reserve total up to 24 birds. Our first family of the winter flew in, a single parent who has brought her two cygnets to Slimbridge after seemingly losing her
17 November 2010
Over 1,000 Bewick's at Welney!
With fog forecasted across the country this morning, swan counters on the Ouse Washes in Norfolk were bracing themselves for tricky counting conditions with poor visibility. Fortunately, the fog did not materialise, and all were treated to glorious sunshi
16 November 2010
The wind is turning!
The wind is finally turning north-easterly! Four more swans made the most of these good migratory conditions and flew into Slimbridge today, increasing the reserve count to eight. We welcomed back loyal pair Vance and Vanessa who have spent every winter h
9 November 2010
Toby the whooper enjoys life at Slimbridge!
Every winter, one or two Whooper swans may drop into Slimbridge but are usually quick to leave again. However, Toby is happily bucking convention and seems to be making himself very much at home on the reserve. After arriving on 14 October with a friend w
1 November 2010
Wintering sites start filling up
Wintering sites across Europe have been filling up over the last few days as the swans continue to make progress with their migration. Over 800 birds have now arrived at Lake Markiezaat in the south of Holland and 489 birds are happily feeding on the Nort
27 October 2010
Dario and Cole arrive on time and cause a stir!
A commotion on Swan Lake signalled the arrival of Dario with mate Cole this morning as they immediately summoned the energy to have a battle with established birds Risa and Riso! The best feeding spot on the lake was at stake and although the new arrivals
25 October 2010
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 w
19 October 2010