Swan news
Some familiar faces!
Bewick’s swans are very faithful to their wintering sites, so much so, that half of the swans that visit us at Slimbridge every year have been here before. Since the 1950s, the reserve has been managed to attract and accommodate thousands of tired water
29 December 2015
A little note from the Russian arctic
The Bewick’s swans have been steadily arriving at UK wintering sites with 1,009 now enjoying the Ouse Washes in Norfolk and up to 87 attending the daily swan feeds at Slimbridge. The swans are currently travelling from Russia to Europe in efforts
9 December 2015
The strange adventures of Leho!
Ever since Leho was caught and fitted with a transmitter in Norfolk last winter, we have been carefully following his long journeys to and from the Russian arctic. Up until now, his autumn migration had taken him on a rather typical route through the Balt
12 November 2015
First arrival at Slimbridge breaks new record!
The first Bewick’s swan flew into Slimbridge yesterday, breaking the record for the earliest arrival date since WWT’s swan study began in 1963! © Steve Heaven / WWT The swan, which has been named Record Breaker,
12 October 2015
First Bewick’s touch down in the Netherlands
The Bewick’s swans have started their epic migration from arctic Russia to north-west Europe with the first two birds already arriving in the Netherlands close to Lake Veluwemeer (Wim Tijsen/Nel Bekema)! We are especially excited to hear from seven of
1 October 2015
From Russia with love
After eight long weeks of travel, our transmitter swans are finally arriving at their destination: the Russian arctic, some 2,500 miles away! This vast swathe of tundra stretches across the entire north coast of Russia and is one of the world’s greatest
11 May 2015
Leho's adventure around Eastern Europe!
Last week, Leho Luigujoe from the Estonian University of Life Sciences, set off on a road trip across Estonia and Latvia to track down some of our transmitter birds. He had huge success, spotting five of our birds on his travels and we were very pleased
29 April 2015
Our swans reach Russia!
Six of our transmitter swans have reached Russia and are now more than half way into their journey to the arctic! Daisy Clarke, Hope and pair BEWI17 and BEWI20 have all settled around Lake Ladoga, Andres remains on Lake Ilmen while Pola has reached anothe
14 April 2015
School children name transmitter swan in Germany
Image courtesy of Christiane Herrmann As I write, thousands of Bewick’s swans are making their way across Europe en route to the Russian Arctic. This 2,500 mile journey is a remarkable feat of endurance, particularl
30 March 2015
The reverse migration of Daisy Clarke
A final burst of winter has made some of our transmitter swans think twice about continuing their journeys eastwards. Temperatures in Estonia have reached lows of -3ºC over the last few days and this sudden change is likely to have encouraged the reverse
18 March 2015
Transmitter swans making good progress
We are very pleased to bring you the latest news on the journeys of 18 Bewick’s swans fitted with GPS transmitters in the UK during the last two winters. Following their departure from British shores in February and March, the swans fanned out across th
11 March 2015
Spring migration underway!
The first Bewick’s swans have embarked on spring migration back to their arctic Russian breeding grounds. The lengthening days have signalled the start of the migratory period for the swans and the prevailing westerly winds have provided the final nudge
18 February 2015
Cold snap heralds more swans!
As the days lengthen and with spring around the corner, the Bewick’s swans would ordinarily be preparing for their long journey back to the Russian arctic. However, the recent cold snap and north-easterly winds have encouraged a few more dedicated swans
6 February 2015
International swan census
Last week, hundreds of dedicated observers across Europe ventured out to take part in the International Swan Census. The census happens every five years and aims to record all of the Bewick’s swans in the Northwest European population along with their d
28 January 2015
The colourful life of an old bird!
Last week saw the return of Caper, one of the oldest Bewick’s swans on record! Caper first visited Slimbridge back in the autumn of 1989 as a yearling and has now reached the grand old age of 26! He’s now not far behind our record-breakers Winterling
12 January 2015