Bristol broadcasters bring the Bewick's swans of Slimbridge to our screens
Young Bristol naturalist Alex Rhodes has teamed up with veteran TV and radio producer Sarah Pitt to tell the story of one of the South West's seasonal wildlife spectacles: the Bewick's swans of Slimbridge.
More than 80 Bewick's swans have already arrived for winter at WWT’s Slimbridge Wetland Centre, with more predicted to turn up over Christmas if the weather gets colder.
The film – A Safe Haven – was produced by Sarah Pitt as a gift to the charity and is available to watch for free.
It tells the story of the flock of 300 swans which faithfully return to Slimbridge each winter after flying more than 5,000 miles to breed in the Russian Arctic, and how researcher Julia Newth records each individual swan by the unique pattern of black and yellow on its bill.
Visitors can meet the swans up close at Slimbridge any afternoon at 4pm when they are fed by WWT’s wardens, who also give a talk to explain the swans’ unique life story.
Sarah Pitt said:
“Alex and I made the film so more people could engage with the swans’ story and see for themselves how important it is that the swans have a safe haven on our coastal estuaries.
“It was an absolute pleasure working with Alex. Over the years I’ve spent many chilly mornings at Slimbridge filming the swans, but it was inspiring to work with someone who is so keen to learn everything there is to know about natural history and birds in particular.
“I was also struck, yet again, by the devotion to the swans shown by Julia Newth. Her knowledge of Bewick’s swans is immensely valuable and it takes a very special person to have the patience and skill that she shows in observing them almost daily and in working so hard to find out more about them. I totally support the work that WWT is doing to understand what happens to the Bewick’s on their long and often hazardous migration.”
For information on visiting Slimbridge www.wwt.org.uk/slimbridge
