17/01/20 - Bewick's Swan 702

During the 1960’s and 70’s, herds of up to 250-300 Bewick’s Swans were regular in the valley during the winter months. Numbers then started to decline through the 1980’s and 90’s, to around 30 birds each winter, yet now we're down to just one lone pair which have been returning to the valley since 2009. The female (702) was ringed as a first year on the wintering grounds in the Netherlands in November 2007, and has wintered in the valley each year since 2009, except the 2011/12 winter when she and her partner remained in Denmark. 

The Bewick's Swan population seems to be struggling on the Russian breeding grounds with low productivity, and with warmer winter conditions across Europe, many birds are now wintering there rather than continuing another 400 kilometres to the UK. Since returning once again at the end of December, the two Bewick's have been moving between the flooded Ings at Ellerton and Bubwith, but largely keeping their distance from the 180+ Icelandic Whooper Swans wintering in the same area. Bewick’s Swans are slightly smaller and more delicate than Whoopers, and have less yellow on their bill (not extending below their nostrils). When visiting the reserve please let us know if you're lucky enough to spot these two scarce winter visitors.