Latest arrival of Bewick’s at Slimbridge since 1969!
Exceptionally warm weather delivered from sub-tropical latitudes by strong south-westerly winds has stalled the mass migration of Bewick’s swans across Europe. We are in a very unusual situation for November – swanless at Slimbridge! The Bewick’s have not arrived at the reserve this late since the winter of 1969-70 when the first birds dropped in on 6 November! Bewick’s swans prefer to migrate on a north-easterly tail wind as it helps carry them on their way so these south-westerly breezes are certainly not encouraging many to fly on to the UK.
Temperatures in Eastern Europe, where many of the migrating swans stop on their long journey, are not yet sufficiently low to be driving them onwards in search of food and more hospitable weather. The shorts have also been seeing some action in Northwest Europe as the Netherlands experienced the warmest November day since records began with temperatures reaching 22˚C.
Bewick’s swans are very site faithful however. They have extraordinary ties to their wintering sites, often returning year after year to the same place. At Slimbridge, where we can identify each individual by its unique bill pattern, more than half of the individuals we are expecting this winter are likely to have visited in previous winters. The swans are creatures of tradition as wonderfully demonstrated by one bird called Winterling who returned to the Slimbridge for 28 winters! The supplementary food and natural wetland grasses provided at both Welney and Slimbridge by the reserve teams throughout the winter will be providing additional incentive for those regulars as they edge their way closer!
As the autumn progresses, we have seen some of our transmitter swans arrive in Northwest Europe. Last weekend, we saw from the transmitter information that Andres had reached the Netherlands which prompted Dutch ornithologist Wim Tijsen on a wild swan chase around the north eastern part of Lake Ijsselmeer. As Wim reported the lake has been “my favourite place the last years because the swans also like it there....and on this sunny day, no punishment to be Bewick’s swan watching!”
Wim initially intended to inspect flocks of Bewick’s around the Borderlakes but in his words “Andres changed my plans!” It was not until 4pm and with the daylight fading fast, that Andres was spotted, happily feeding with others. After spending some time watching Andres, Wim was pleased to report that he is in good shape and also has a mate!
We are also thrilled to see Hope and newly named Eileen continuing to make good progress and arriving at Matsalu Bay in Estonia. Estonian swan conservationist Leho Luigujõe says:
“This stop-over site is well known swans staging site in Estonia, both in spring and autumn. This area is huge mosaic system of shallow bays, reed beds and coastal meadows. Main food is potamogeton and some green algae, like Chara species.”
Leho will be waiting for the swans to move to a place that is more accessible so that he can also check to see whether Hope and Eileen have a mate.....
