Bewick's Blog: Winter 2024/2025
As the Bewick's swans arrive at Slimbridge this winter, we'll be keeping you updated on the individuals on site this season.
Follow this page to find out which Bewick's swans have reached WWT Slimbridge, for the season of 2024/2025. We'll update as often as we can, with the newest arrivals at the top of the blog.
- Monday 18 November - Seven Bewick's swans on site. The four further swans that were on site on Wednesday 13 November have since flown off and none of these individuals were identified.
- Wednesday 13 November - New birds spotted include pair 'Hoorn' and 'Laren'. They first wintered Slimbridge in the winter of 2016, and in the winter of 2021/22 they brought two cygnets with them, including 'Ringin'. Another swan, 'Mannheim' arrived, who first wintered at Slimbridge as a cygnet with parents 'Sabia' and 'Sabian' in the winter of 2022/23, and was at Slimbridge as a yearling in the winter of 2023/24. Four further Bewick's arrived, but are yet to be identified - bringing the total to 11 swans.
Bewick's swan Hoorn.
- Tuesday 12 November - Pair 'Gastro' and mate 'Roux' arrived. Gastro first wintered at Slimbridge as a single male on 25 November 2018. In the winter of 2019 he was the first swan to arrive, with his new mate Roux. They have returned every winter since and brought their first two cygnets back in the winter of 2023/24.
Bewick's swan Roux.
- Sunday 3 November - the swan season kicks off with the arrival of first pair 'Primero' and 'Piquet'. Primero first wintered at Slimbridge with mate 'Pidro' in 2012 and they were together until the winter of 2014. Primero returned with Piquet the following winter with two cygnets and the pair brought three with them during the winter of 2023/24. This year the pair currently appear to be on their own.
Primero and Piquet on the Tack Piece.
