Slimbridge Wetland Centre
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And now there are five!
Two new swans swooped in over the weekend to join Dario, Bridges and Humbugs for a winter at Slimbridge. The birds have grey flecks on their heads which indicate that they are yearlings. Born in June 2010, they have already made three migrations, flying o
8 November 2011
A flakey association
So after several days of watching Dario and Bridges, we have come to the conclusion that they are not a pair but just flying pals. There have been no signs of courtship dances or contact calls, they frequently stray from each other and as Steve Heaven, ou
1 November 2011
Bewick's vs Mute's!
A spot of swan rivalry between the resident pair of mute swans and the four newly arrived Bewick’s is keeping us all glued to the lake at the moment. Clearly not used to sharing the lake, the mutes are doing all they can to puff themselves up, look s
26 October 2011
Bewick's arrive at Slimbridge!
The first four Bewick's swans flew into Slimbridge this morning! They touched down briefly on Swan Lake at 7.30am before heading off for a reconnaissance of the reserve. Three of the swans this morning (J. Lees) Dario
25 October 2011
Bewick's in Britain!
The first three Bewick's swans arrived at our Welney centre last night, officially kicking off the swan season here in the UK! The wind, although in the 'wrong' direction, was very light and the skies were clear so visibility was good for flying. Day l
21 October 2011
Whoopers fly in as Bewick's move closer!
The familiar bugling call and flashes of yellow and black beaks got the pulses racing at Slimbridge this morning but still no Bewick’s to be seen! Two whooper swans touched down on the reserve, intriguingly with two young mute swans. The whooper swan, w
20 October 2011
The swans are on their way!
My inbox has been buzzing with news that the great Bewick’s swan migration is underway and on time! The first birds arrived in Lithuania at the end of September, and since then, nearly a thousand have dropped into the Netherlands! Seeing the swans arriv
18 October 2011
Au revoir!
The last five Bewick's swans left on their spring migration over the weekend, bringing to a close what has been another winter packed with excitement, intrigue, romance and sadness. As soon as the first birds arrived at Slimbridge on 19 October, we were k
15 March 2011
Late-comers drop in for last minute feed!
Only five birds remained at Slimbridge yesterday and so it was a lovely surprise to see 21 rooting around for grasses in the scrapes this morning! Four of these birds had briefly visited us earlier on in the winter and must have joined another flock els
10 March 2011
Swans leave on a still night!
A calm, moonlit evening triggered 89 swans to start their spring migration from Slimbridge last night, leaving just 41 birds on the reserve today! After patiently waiting for conditions to improve, the birds seized their moment and embarked on their 2,50
8 March 2011
Swans stall their migration as cold snap hits!
After the mass exodus of Bewick's swans from UK wintering sites at the weekend, cold north-easterly winds and snow on the continent have stopped many in their tracks! Rather than flying straight on to Germany, large flocks have congregated at sites in Hol
1 March 2011
Russian bound swans start leaving the UK
Over 100 swans made the most of the westerly winds to leave Slimbridge on spring migration over the weekend! The reserve count dropped from 247 birds on Friday to just 142 today, although some of the 'missing' birds may still be lurking in the area. In re
28 February 2011
Time for migration!
The swans are ready! After a week or so of loafing around, the swans are now preparing for migration by stretching their wings and taking short 'practice' flights. This restlessness is thought to be caused by the lengthening days which the swans see as a
23 February 2011
Lost birds reunited for Valentines!
Earlier in the winter, we were sad to see our old friend Gien return without her mate of two years Grenoble. A couple of weeks passed and Gien remained on her own. As swans tend to mate for life, the arrival of a bird without its mate often means that the
14 February 2011
Pre-migratory behaviour accompanies a taste of spring
With the days lengthening and temperatures gradually rising, the swans are edging ever closer to embarking on their 2,500 mile migration back to arctic Russia. In preparation, groups at Slimbridge have been resting up and loafing around on the river, whil
9 February 2011