Bewick’s
Swan (Cygnus columbianus)
The
floodplain of the Arun valley ranges across a broad sweep of undisturbed wet
grassland, intersected with wildlife-rich channels, surrounded by woodlands,
and overlooked by the South Downs. It forms an essential part of the Arun
Valley Special Protection Area for its large numbers of wintering wildfowl.
Although
October records exist, it is generally mid November when the first of the
Bewick’s appear in Sussex; three adults being present since at least 22nd
November this year. After
breeding in Arctic Russia, the swans undertake a 2,500-3,000 km migration to
their wintering grounds. The vast majority head for Britain, the Netherlands
and Germany, with smaller numbers wintering in Denmark, France, Ireland and
Belgium. Sussex being located near the southwestern edge of their winter range.
A
bird whose presence heralds the start of winter and embodies the
atmosphere of the secluded wetlands of the Arctic tundra …
References:
Hughes,
P. (2014). Bewick’s Swan. The Birds of Sussex. Thetford: British Trust
for Ornithology (BTO) Books on behalf of the Sussex Ornithological Society, pp.
80-81.
Mason,
M. (1996). Bewick’s Swan. Birds of Sussex. Sussex Ornithological
Society, pp. 133-136.
