Saving wetlands for wildlife & people

International Swan Census

Species/Populations
Bewick’s Swan
Whooper Swan

History
First census carried out in 1986.

Aims
To estimate population size and identify important wintering sites.

Coverage
International (Eurasian flyways).

Frequency
Every five years.

Methods
One co-ordinated site-based survey timed to coincide with the International Waterbird Census. In the UK, also coincides with the Wetland Bird Survey Core Count, since this gives good general coverage. Counts at sites not covered through WeBS provide more complete survey. Counters also record the age structure of flocks, and the habitat being used.

Results
Please see the latest results for Bewick's Swan and Whooper Swan.

Results of the 2005 census are available in Worden et al. (2006) (Bewick's Swan numbers and distribution) and will soon be available in Worden et al. (in prep) (Whooper Swan population size and breeding success).

Getting involved
The next census will take place in January 2010. More information on how to get involved will be available here in due course. For more information, please contact the Waterbird Monitoring Unit at WWT Slimbridge.

Resources
CUDI
Data requests
Field ageing guide

Partner organisations
Overall co-ordination by Wetlands International/ IUCN-SSC Swan Specialist Group.

In the UK, the census is organised by WWT and the following partners:
BirdWatch Ireland
The Irish Whooper Swan Study Group
Icelandic Institute of Natural History
Icelandic Society for the Protection of Birds





The Goose & Swan Monitoring Programme (GSMP) monitors numbers and breeding success of geese and swans in the UK during the non-breeding season. GSMP is organised by WWT on behalf of WWT and JNCC.

Email: monitoring@wwt.org.uk