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, whilst stocking up on food reserves for their long journey ahead. Over in Norfolk, large numbers have been gathering to feed on the Washes, behaviour often seen before take off.
Over the past few days, in addition to a few new arrivals, we have seen the return of birds that had visited Slimbridge earlier in the winter. Numbers have therefore remained high, with 292 birds recorded at today's feed.
We were especially happy to see the return of Sherlock and Baynes who flew in with four strapping cygnets! Sherlock (ringed 400) first visited the reserve in 2001 as a cygnet, making her nine years old. This is the second family that she has brought back with her and we hope that there will be many more!
