Bewick's Blog: Winter 2025/26
Follow the migratory Bewick's swans as they come and go at Slimbridge Wetland Centre this season.
Keep this page bookmarked to check back for regular updates on our latest arrivals!
27th November
Trotsky arrived - not seen since the winter of 2022-23.
24th November
Two new arrivals taking the running total to 28.
21st November
Five arrivals including Gastro and Roux, who were first seen as a pair in the winter of 2017. We also welcomed Baratheon and Shireen (ringed white BXA on her left leg) - Baratheon's parents were Tool & Times, who last visited in the winter of 2019-20.
19th November
Sabia and his new mate from last winter Sabiana arrived. Sabiana is ringed white BXL on her left leg - all females are ringed on the left and males on the right, so keep an eye out and see who you can identify!
18th November
A further eight arrived, with the group of now 19 seen moving between Tack Piece and the Rushy.
17th November
Eight more arrived by late morning, taking the total up to thirteen. This included a juvenile (cygnet) now named Ahsoka, and some individuals that are well know to us thanks to the bill pattern recognition: Maisie first wintered at WWT Slimbridge in 2014 as a two-year-old, and on 19 January 2015 she was caught and fitted with a tracker. Maisie was joined by Maifeld in the season of 2016, and the pair have returned to the reserve every winter since.
16th November
The first three arrivals! Heerlen and mate Olga (4 years old), and George II (3 years old). Heerlen first wintered at WWT Slimbridge as an unpaired adult on 1 December 2020. Olga first visited the centre as a cygnet with her parents, Orkney Reed and Doodles, during the 2021/22 winter season. Heerlen and Olga then went on to form a pair in the winter of 2023/24. George II first arrived as a cygnet with his parents Turlach and Tramore in the winter of 2022-23.
16 November is the same date the Bewick's arrived in the winter of 2023, which marked the latest they've returned to the reserve since 1965.
