In a thick fog on Sunday afternoon we made our way to the wetlands reserve. The first Bewick's swans (pictured above) have been arriving, and a couple of days ago several groups appeared on the same day. The wardens call it a swanfall, such a lovely expression. They travel in family groups, all the way from the Russian Arctic tundra, to winter here. I always look forward to them to arriving. A single swan turned up on 11 October this year, which I think was probably the earliest ever. There will probably be 200-300 by mid-winter.
At the moment there are lots over in Holland, taking a break in their journey. In fact if it's a mild winter some of them will stay in Holland and won't come here at all. We saw a warden at around 4.30pm, and he said that if the birds were to set off for Holland then, they'd be there by 2-3am. Amazing no?
Sadly around 60% of the birds that they've ever x-rayed have lead shot in their muscle tissue. And not just the odd pellet, more like 20 or so. Somewhere along the way people are shooting at them. This also causes a problem with the wetlands that they're flying over, as all of the spare lead shot falls into the water. And most of the wetland birds find their food in the water, so they're ingesting large quantities of lead. One of the swans has a tracker fitted, so that researchers can try and find the route that they're following. No doubt there are many hazards along the way. Things like wind turbines and electricity wires and pylons cause a problem, as well as the hunters.
But enough gloom. The good news is that out of 22 birds already down on the Severn wetlands, 5 or 6 are juveniles, which is an excellent proportion. It suggests that it might have been a really good breeding season up in the tundra.
When there's a little wind from the east no doubt more will arrive. There's a chap at the centre who can identify them all individually by their bill pattern. Even one that he hadn't seen for ten years! Oh I love it there. So much to marvel at. I'm looking forward to more swanfalls.
How interesting. Your photos are great, there's so much to see. I love learning about birds' migration patterns. I've been lucky enough to see, twice now, the return of the sandhill cranes which winter in the southern part of New Mexico. The first time, I didn't know what was happening. I was walking from my car into my kids' school and suddenly there was a deafening screeching sound in the sky and I looked up to see hundreds of cranes flying en masse northward. I've watched for them every year since, but I've only seen them one more time. Thanks for sharing, CJ.
ReplyDeleteWow.. that first photo is so evocative and moody and wonderful. Do you really have flamingos there? Do they have to eat shrimp to stay pink? We only have them here in zoos. I got depressed reading about the lead shot and the poison of it and the dang shooters hurting the birds. ::sigh:: But I'm glad there was a good amount of babies born. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteThe flamingoes aren't wild, they're part of the collection at the centre. They have all of the flamingo varieties there, these are the Caribbean ones. I think they probably do give them the right nutrients to keep them pink. The other birds in the pictures are all wild ones though, lots of them are winter migrants recently arrived from the chilly north. CJ xx
DeleteSo many birds! the tale of the lead is disheartening, but I'm glad to hear the tundra is producing well ... and the ratios look good :)
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a swan in flight. It must be an awesome sight!
ReplyDeleteI always love your photos. You take the most amazing shots. :-)
Flamingos in the fog; how marvelous. We have quite a few swans near us and I love the sound of them in flight. So sad about all the lead shot! I envy you being so close to such a great place to visit; I bet your wildlife-loving son can't keep away. xx
ReplyDeleteLove this post and I will take a closer look at the sky from now on, living in Holland! Thanks for sharing, Anita xx
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this post, CJ. I worked for the RSPB for most of my twenties and have an extremely soft spot for birds of all kinds, especially swans. Their migration patterns are fascinating (as are all migrations) and they're such beautiful creatures. I love that someone there can identify the individual swans. Brilliant. Are you watching Autumnwatch this week? Sam x
ReplyDeleteYes I am, I love to see what's going on out there in the wild. I bet it was amazing working for the RSPB. My eldest's dream job I think! CJ xx
DeleteHow beautiful they are and how brilliant that chap is for being able to identify them individually. I'm always amazed by the distances migrating birds travel. How sad that people are shooting at them - sometimes I think we still live in the dark ages. Fab pics as always CJ. Have a great week. Jane xx
ReplyDeleteSwanfall, what a wonderful expression. How sad that once again I'm reading about harm done to wildlife. You've got to wonder what makes people so different, those that marvel at the creatures we share this earth with and others with total disregard for life.
ReplyDeleteSwanfall is a wonderful word. Lovely misty pictures. It's sad to read about the lead shot. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of a swan fall before. What a great opportunity to have the birds there over the winter. That's quite disturbing about the lead shot in them though.
ReplyDeleteI did a double take when I saw the flamingos! I never think of them in the UK, except in the zoo which is where I see them. It's very disturbing to think that people are shooting at swans, they're such beautiful creatures I can't imagine why anyone would do that. There are loads of hazards out there for them: My mum once had a swan crash into her patio windows and die. The RSPCB guy who came to collect the bird thought that light glinting off the glass must have looked like water because it flew in quite low and there's a creek lake about 50 yards beyond the house. The whole thing was quite upsetting, especially given that swans mate for life. Sorry, that was a bit of a sad tale. Hope you're not upset. C x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ethereal photos in the mist. I like a bit of wetlands watching too and especially love the sort of landscape where the sea meets the land indefinably and the movement of tides creates these wonderful habitats for wildfowl.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. In the past, we have been to see the swans arriving at the Welney reserve in the Fens. It's amazing how they manage such long journeys, but such a shame about the lead shot.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures the fog just adds to the atmosphere. I have just finished reading a book about living in France and how the hunters would shoot small birds for months, it's so sad. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteI hate to think of them being shot at and having to overcome so many man made hurdles. They are such beautiful birds. I remember on one trip to Slimbridge a pair of them flew in straight over the top of our heads. It was a magical moment.
ReplyDeleteSwanfall is a beautifully evocative word, it is new to my vocabulary. You know, I do love a bit of fog now and there, very atmospheric. Who would want to shoot swans, that is so nasty. My children tell me swans belong to the Queen. I wonder if they are pulling my leg? I am now wondering if she also owns the seasonal immigrant swans.... x
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs of the swans in the fog, they are so beautiful and elegant.The distances that they fly is amazing. It is so sad that irresponsible, uncaring people are shooting at them and wounding them and that lead pellets are poisoning their water. I really don't understand how people can be so cruel.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo ♡
How atmospheric with the fog, your photos are fabulous. We look forward to the arrival of Brent geese on our nearest beach. Already some have arrived. I had a swim the other day and all I could hear was their lovely honking sound. Not sure where they have come from, but they usually stay here till early spring. B x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to visit. I love the idea of Swanfall.
ReplyDeleteHey CH,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful expression. I love that there is someone who recognises each individual swan. I wonder why they are shot? I can't imagine they are a threat to anything.
Leanne xx
At least winter is good for bird watching
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place to visit! It looks a bit chilly but your photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful expression and such a fascinating post. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Good old swans eh? I love imagining them up on the tundra. Xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for the gorgeous photos and the informative narrative as well, CJ. I am sad to learn of the lead problem, no outraged! I am glad for those who are aware of the problem and are taking steps to end it. xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing them - and so sad about the shooting...
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, xh
Beautiful, beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing them - and so sad about the shooting...
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, xh
That photo of the flamingos in the mist is just beautiful. It really is.
ReplyDelete