The Bewick's are back
The first Bewick's touched down early on Sunday 16 November, hailing the start of winter.
This year's first returning Bewick's swans were pair Heerlen and Olga, accompanied by a single swan, George II.
The trio were soon followed by long-standing pair Maisie and Maifeld, who arrived on Monday 17 November - marking their ninth winter in a row to the reserve.
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.
WWT Slimbridge Reserve Manager, Martin McGill, said:
As a young visitor I appreciated the Bewick's swans flock at WWT Slimbridge, but it wasn't until I began working on the reserve that I realised just how sacred these special birds were. WWT Slimbridge is a unique place where you can see these swans up close. This is due to a relationship we've built on trust, and that bond has grown over the many decades the swans have been visiting the reserve.
On Monday 17 November another eight Bewick’s arrived at the wetland centre, bringing the total to 11 swans, including one cygnet.
Other individuals spotted include Maisie, who arrived on Monday 17 December, along with partner Maifield. 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.
Adored by visitors and staff, the Bewick’s swans are an iconic part of our winter soundscape.
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.
Visitors can see the Bewick’s swans up close, with best views available during our daily 4pm wild bird feeds from the Peng Observatory. This winter experience is free for WWT members and included in the price of admission.
