Experts express concern over dramatic loss of Bewick’s swans in Britain
But the solution lies where land meets water.
Annual swan counts suggest that Britain could have lost up to 43% of its population of Bewick’s swans in just five years.
WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife, is warning that the species could soon be a rare sight, after only 700 Bewick’s swans and only five cygnets were recorded during annual winter counts. Not a single Bewick’s swan has been spotted in Ireland this winter.
Large numbers of birds are now spending the winter months in wetlands in central Europe, a phenomenon known as short-stopping. Rising global temperatures because of climate change mean the Bewick’s don’t need to migrate as far from arctic Russia to reach ice-free wetlands.
Early figures suggest over 7,000 Bewick’s swans have short-stopped in parts of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands this year.
Kane Brides, Senior Research Officer at WWT, said:
“Britain was once the home for wintering Bewick’s swans, but the stark numbers show it’s only a matter of time before these incredible birds become a rare sight on our wetlands. If we continue to see record-breaking temperatures during the winter months, more Bewick’s swans will likely short-stop in Europe in the coming years.
The Bewick’s hold a special place in our hearts at WWT. They are a part of our history and our story and have been the focus of decades of studies by our teams, first pioneered by our founder Sir Peter Scott.”
Climate change also threatens the wetland habitats that Bewick’s depend on for breeding and surviving into adulthood. Fluctuating and severe weather conditions can seriously damage and reduce the benefits that these habitats offer the species. But there is a solution.
Kane continued:
“This is why WWT’s mission to restore wetlands is so critical – because, quite simply, we need more of them. Wetlands have incredible carbon-storing, flood-busting, nature-bursting superpowers that are solutions for the nature and climate crises in the UK and overseas. We must ensure species like the iconic Bewick’s swan have a fighting chance to thrive once again.”
The Bewick’s swans also face dangers on their migration from lead poisoning and illegal shooting.
According to WWT’s waterbird health research, up to 100,000 waterbirds die from toxic lead poisoning every year. Migratory swans like whoopers and Bewick’s were worst affected, with lead poisoning accounting for a quarter of those deaths.
WWT leads a coalition of charities urging the UK government to ban the sale and use of lead ammunition, with a government decision expected on 13 March. A similar action is being called for in EU member states.
Bewick’s swans can be found at several wetlands in Britain, including WWT Slimbridge and WWT Welney. They are small white swans with a black and yellow bill.
Image credit: WWT/James Lees
