Friday 20 January 2012

Bewick`s on ice





At the beginning of the week it was quite cold, quite a lot of water in the PBC area had frozen over, leading to birds to being congregated in small areas where there was open water. These two Bewick`s Swans were on the River Welland in an area known locally as Deeping High Bank, but were not associating with any other birds, intent on perfecting their ice-skating skills.

The Bewick`s Swan is the U.K.`s smallest swan, but is a migrant to our shores. Around 9,000 individuals, about a third of the entire European population spend the winter in Britain and Ireland, sheltering from the harsh winters in northern Russia and North America where they breed. The swans in Britain come from northern Russia where they leave their Siberian breeding grounds in September and arrive here in mid-October. They start their return migration before the end of March.

23 comments:

  1. I must try and get to see these, and their cousins, before they head off home.

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  2. Hi Keith,
    You really must, they and the Whoopers are gorgeous, truly `wild` swans.
    J

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  3. These photos are so delightful with the Berwicks trying to hold a stately poise. Ice what ice? We haven't been anywhere near cold enough here in Cornwall. Claire

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  4. Don't often get to see the stumpy legs and large feet. They do look somewhat ungainly out of water.

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  5. Nice pics John, always a treat to see them.

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  6. Hi cuby poet,
    Thank you. It has since warmed up a little bit and it is now back to rain and cloudy/grey skies!
    J

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  7. Hi John,
    No, normally they are hidden under the water, a bit like `a fish out of water`! Still elegant birds though.
    J

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  8. Thanks Alan,
    It was nice to see them so close, normally they are in a field a fair distance away when I see them!
    J

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  9. Hi John,
    Shame there weren't any Canada Geese around to help the Bewick Swans learn the finer art of skating on ice :)
    A wonderful and informative article, with great photos, as per usual. Thanks John.
    Here's wishing you a peaceful weekend.
    In kindness, Gary

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  10. They look a wee bit unsure of what to do there :-)
    I never even heard of these guys before/
    Lovely to get to see them!

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  11. Beautiful birds,love your blog,shall return,phyllis

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  12. Thank you Susan, too kind.
    J

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  13. Hi Gary,
    No, there weren`t any Cananda Geese around, they were abit further down on one of the lakes!
    Thanks for your usual kind words Gary, hope your weekend is full of relaxation.
    J

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  14. Thank you Nicole, I don`t think they are as happy on a `slidy` surface as when they are swimming!
    Thank you for the `Follow`
    J

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  15. Hello Phyllis,
    Thank you for those lovely words and Thank you for the `Follow`, I look forward to you coming back again! ;)
    J

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  16. Beautiful photos of the Bewick's Swan.

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  17. Superb captures John,brilliant images as usual.
    John.

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  18. Thanks John,
    You really are too kind!
    J

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