Dawn swan count

Sunrise over WWT Welney

This morning we conducted our January swan count and found there to be 2,413 Bewick's swans and 2,385 whooper swans on the WWT section of the Ouse Washes.  This means that Bewick's swan numbers have definitely increased since December with more individuals coming across from The Netherlands in recent weeks.  We will have to wait until we can add our counts to those of the RSPB later today, before we can see what the total numbers of swans using the Ouse Washes.

UPDATE:  Total count of swans at dawn on the Ouse Washes came to -
Bewick's swan - 2,813
Whooper swans - 7,885

The flight out was amazing this morning, the next chance you have to witness this with us are at the Swan's awake events this weekend.  But if you can't quite manage the early start we have flocks of whooper swans on Lady Fen and the from the main hide to watch during the day, alongside a range of swan related activities at our Festival of Swans event this weekend!!

Other sightings from this morning included:
Goldeneye - 3
Black-tailed godwit - 800-1,000
Lapwing
Snipe
Wigeon
Teal
Shoveler
Pintail
Tufted duck
Pochard
Mallard
Marsh harrier
Red kite - 1

  • Share this article