Slimbridge - 'The Avian Serengeti'!
‘Floods and wind batter parts of the UK’...'Floods and gales bring misery to the UK’... These were just a few of the familiar headlines you may have seen this week. Up to 44 mm of rain fell within hours and south-westerly gusts of up to 70 miles per hour were recorded in some places (Met Office). So how have the swans been coping in these conditions? Well the short answer is very well! The 21 or so Bewick’s at Slimbridge and the 114 on the Ouse Washes in Norfolk have had a wider choice of enticing feeding areas for starters. When the fields have flooded, the grasses and crops are softened and easier to pull out of the ground.
At Slimbridge, we have seen our small flock flying out at first light to make the most of the watery surrounds which our reserve manager Dave Paynter has dubbed 'The Avian Serengeti'! Following their stomachs, they have dispersed to explore the most appealing areas. The water is even deep enough in places for some of them to roost away from the main Swan Lake where the Bewick’s have traditionally roosted for over 50 years!
It was therefore not surprising that few swans braved the weather and continued their journey to wintering sites this week. Although around 2,000 swans are now in the Netherlands and 600 in Denmark, there are still many in eastern Europe with 1,800 birds in Latvia among other places (W. Tijsen, D. Boiko).
