Bewick's Swans

Wild Bewick's Swans. August 2, 2016. Accompanied by a Common Coot.

I'm afraid these will be pinioned birds. Wild Bewick's swans usually only reach Slimbridge in November.

Fair enough, thanks. I thought I remembered someone mentioning that they were birds that just don't leave after winter.

~Thylo

It does happen - there was a Whooper that just never left Martin Mere for at least one year (though I think that was an injured bird, so it was sort-of 'self-pinioned'!). I remember because I was in the 'In Focus' shop buying new binoculars and just as I was trying them out on the injured bird the first Whooper arrivals of the winter flew in - a good omen, as the salesman was keen to point out!

Were these birds on the 'reserve' part or in the grounds of the captive collection? If the former your memory could be correct, if the latter I think it's case closed I'm afraid!

They were at the very beginning of the captive area once you exit the main building.

~Thylo

Ah, then I think they are indeed likely to be part of the collection I'm afraid.

Fair enough then. They were a lifer either way and the last species needed for me to have seen all the swans