Transmitter swans making good progress
We are very pleased to bring you the latest news on the journeys of 18 Bewick’s swans fitted with GPS transmitters in the UK during the last two winters. Following their departure from British shores in February and March, the swans fanned out across the North Sea, each taking their own route to reach the continental mainland.
We have been closely watching their sea-crossings to see whether their paths cross sites earmarked for the development of off-shore wind turbines. In addition to advising wind farm developers on the positioning of turbines, we hope to gain valuable information on the swans’ migration from the UK to arctic Russia and their use of key wetland sites along the way. These ‘staging sites’ are of critical importance for resting and feeding and their identification will help ensure their future protection.
So where are the swans now? Leho (BEWI26) is currently leading the way, having reached Estonia via Denmark and southern Sweden. BEWI25 impressed us with her speediness, crossing the North Sea and reaching the Netherlands in just two hours! She is now making her way through Poland. Six of the transmitter swans are currently in Denmark while Hope, the focus of our recent swan appeal, remains in Germany. Our Principal Species Research Officer, Larry Griffin, will be heading to Denmark later this week to try and spot some of our swans (including Slimbridge birds Emilia, Butters and Beabrooks) in the field and check on how they are doing. We hope to send you some updates from his trip soon....
