A Netherlands odyssey searching for family groups of the migratory Bewick Swan - Part 1
Bewick swans breed in Arctic Russia and have traditionally overwintered in southern Europe principally, up until now, on the WWT reserve at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. Previous high counts have been in the 700’s but these days the numbers scrape in at circa 100.
This is a climate story. Just one unanticipated consequence of climate change that unless we are careful slips below the radar of a world filled with other troubles and pressures.
And so, every autumn, a magnificent spectacle begins in the remote Russian Arctic: the migration of the Bewick's swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii). These elegant birds, the smallest of the UK's swan species, embark on an epic, family-led journey spanning over 3,500 kilometres to escape the harsh Arctic winter, seeking refuge in the milder climates of Western Europe and the UK.
Last year there were no family groups amongst the Slimbridge visitors (and the visitors were 3 weeks later than expected). Bewick youngsters always make the first and sometimes second migration of 2000+ miles with their parents. After that they are armed with knowledge of the route and destination, they travel with the larger migrating group but, they are on their own. The warming climate though has created a drastic change.
A phenomenon known as “short stopping” now sees some of the Bewick’s fly the much shorter distance to over winter in the Netherlands or Northen Germany. Presumably in prehistory at times of changing climate and a changing world, species have always done this? This time though, well that’s down to us.
Last years lack of buff plumaged juveniles prompted the obvious question – was the breeding season a success or did the lack of them indicate some other underlying problem? To find out for myself I decided to go The Netherlands.
It occurred to me, because I believe that birds are sentient, problem solvers and capable of forward thinking, like most other higher animals, that it would make far more sense to them to shortstop if they had had a succesful breeding year and therefor had the kids in tow. If a pair hadn’t bred that year and were feeling fit – then why not make the extended trip to the traditional wintering grounds where the lovely people at WWT feed all comers over winter. With a family it’s much more of a risk reward game. Wear them out on the longer journey in hope of guaranteed feeding supplement – or – short stop and relieve part of that arduous journey. What I wasn’t prepared for, never having been, was the fantastic habitat that awaits in Northern Netherlands. Seemingly endless wetlands patchworked into grassland arable fields – right up their street!
Join me in Part 2 of this blog to see how I got on.
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