May 2011 - WWT Slimbridge (part 2) - Swans

Wednesday 4th May: So, part 2, the Swans. Most of these are captive birds, the exceptions being the Bewick, Whooper and Mute Swans, the later, of which as in most areas, are resident year round. I didn't see any Whooper Swans (too late in the year, most would have flown back to their summer breeding grounds), but there were still two Bewick's Swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) resident. What a fabulous Swan they are! Sir Peter Scott, who founded Slimbridge noted that the same Bewicks were returning year after year and one in particular, kept returning to Slimbridge for 23 consecutive years! They will fly the 2,500 miles from Siberian tundra to western Europe and the Far East for the Winter. Bewick's Swans all have individual beak markings and this is how to distinguish individuals apart.

Bewick Swans

The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) is native to Australia. Most are kept in collections within this country and it is likely to turn up almost anywhere in the UK as an escapee. Here in Yorkshire the other year, I encountered 4 on the local lake! Only the one seen here in Slimbridge. Smaller than a Mute Swan, they will latch onto a flock for company.

 Black Swan

The Black-necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus) is the largest waterfowl native to South America. Unusual to look at and like the Black and Mute Swans, mostly silent. Occurs mostly in Chile, Patagonia and the Falkland Islands,. It will migrate to warmer climes like Brazil during the Southern winter.

 Black-necked Swan

The smallest of swans, the Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba) is a native of South America and a frequent visitor to the Falkland Islands.

Coscoroba Swan

The largest of North American waterfowl and the largest of waterfowl on Earth, the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is resident throughout much of its range in the US, but migratory in other parts. Its was reduced to near extinction by the early 20th century, but it is relatively common today. Considered to be a relative of the Whooper Swan. Standing just a few feet from this Swan, it truly is a large creature!

Trumpeter Swans

May 2011 - WWT Slimbridge (part 1) - Geese

WWT Slimbridge visitor center

Wednesday 4th: On my way home from South Wales, I called-in at WWT Slimbridge as it's just a short journey up the M5. A wildlife centre that I've never visited before, it is largely a sanctuary for endangered birds of the world, created by Sir Peter Scott, the renowned naturalist. Although Slimbridge is home to many wildfowl from around the world, there are also many areas and hides to observe wildfowl and passerines of all shapes and sizes along the Severn estuary. Unfortunately, I arrived later that I expected, 11am, the site opens at 9am and there is much to see and do, one day is just not enough and I plan to go back in the near future, just to spend the day by the estuary and in the hides.

This visit, I had spent the day touring the different areas and these are open, where most of the birds can come and go. Most have rings on their legs to indicate that they are captive birds, had been hatched at the centre or are just ringed birds by one of the many conservation organisations world-wide.

So with many wildfowl there, some I had never seen and one of the most friendly...too friendly, were the small geese from Hawaii. The Hawaiian Goose or Nene (Branta sandvicensis)! These are an endangered species in the Hawaii islands...falling prey to ground-dwelling "introduced species" like domestic rats, cats and dogs etc. On site the Nene roam freely and mix with many other wildfowl.

Above: a pair of Nene with 3 fledglings take exception to a White-faced Whistling Duck that innocently wanders too near!

The Barnacle Goose is a frequent regular visitor to these shores during the winter months. A protected species, vast numbers, in fact, the entire Svalbard population can be seen at WWT Caerlaverock and the Solway Firth during the winter months. Summer sees the goose return to its breeding grounds in Scandinavia.



Another very common goose to these shores is the Greylag Goose. Usually you will find this goose virtually anywhere and at anytime as there is a large population that is resident in this country.


We all know, and at sometime have seen the familiar Canada Goose which is widely resident in this country, having been introduced from North America. But there is a smaller variant, Richardson's Canada Goose (Branta hutchinsii) or Cackling Goose. Having shorter legs and neck with a more compact body, Richardson's Canada Goose is, if you like, a dwarf goose of its larger cousin. I must admit that when I came across these two, even I was taken aback!

Above: Richardson's Canada Geese

Other geese included the Tundra Snow Goose in both its white and blue phases. These tend to winter along the Gulf Coast to Nebraska, Summering in Arctic North America and the Wranel Islands, NE Siberia. Bar-headed Goose and the Red-breasted Geese were there in numbers as was the White-fronted Geese. The oddly-named Swan Goose was also mingling with other wildfowl. There were at least 3 pairs here all with rings. I have seen this Goose in the wild up in South Yorkshire. Native to China, there are some in conservation collections and I suspect that the one I saw in the wild was an escapee.

Snow Geese (white phase, above, blue phase, below).

Swan Geese (in foreground) and Red-breasted Geese (in background).

Bar-headed Geese