The swans are late and yes it’s the weathers fault!
Since the first Bewick’s swans flew into Britain last month we were expecting hundreds to be hot on their heels. But things are working out rather differently this autumn...
So far, only 21 swans have reached Slimbridge which falls far below the average of 60 birds that had arrived by this time over the last five years. Only handfuls have been spotted on the Ouse Washes.
So where are the swans and why are they late? Although the first arrivals to western Europe were more or less on time this year, the majority of the population have taken their time in reaching wintering sites. Until very recently, over 2,000 swans remained in Latvia and undoubtedly more were holed up in other Baltic countries such as Estonia.
Although the broad timings of migration are triggered by the day length, weather conditions are key in influencing the swans day to day movements. I know we love to talk about it but the weather has almost certainly played a part in slowing the swans arrival this autumn. Wind direction is particularly important with north-easterly tail winds being the favourite to help them along their way to wintering sites. This autumn, the wind has rarely swung in the swans favour. We have also encountered relatively mild temperatures so far and thus the incentive for pushing on west to ‘escape the cold and limited food supplies’ in the east as winter broaches has not been quite the same as usual. Small groups have arrived in Britain during a few brief periods of cold weather, but all in all, the swans are late!
The good news is that numbers have been gradually building up in the Netherlands and reports indicate that the Bewick’s have had a good breeding season (see my previous post for more information). Another seven swans reached Slimbridge this morning including our second family of the season, a pair called Croupie and Wheel with their two cygnets. Croupie first visited Slimbridge with his parents Croupier and Dealer in 2004 and is part of the famous Slimbridge gambling dynasty which stretches back four generations to 1969!
