Autumn Watch gets Local: The Bewick Swans are back!

Do birds suffer jet lag??
Well, if not, then they are entitled to, in my view.
Here, in the peaceful haven of Slimbridge
the first Bewick swans have now returned from
something like 3000 miles away in the Russian tundra

Beautifully white plumage, and elegant yellow and black
markings on their bills (the later feature which
enables individulas to be recognised by Slimbridge staff
from one year to the next!)

Home, at Slimbidge. A chance to rest, preen,


...to sleep even....

sharing this special place with multicultural neighbours..
local mallards, coots and black-headed gulls...

..and tufted duck....

or (red headed, red eyed) Pochards, also refugees from the
north and east.....

clouds of green plovers swoop or strut about..

amongst elegant Pintailed ducks....more foreign exiles.

and Widgeon too, whose 4000 mile trek to
humble Gloucestershire maybe overflew
Ulambatur, Mongolia

The world, on my doorstep.

There now follows a short film, introducing Slimbridge's new guest
"Dumbles" (hee hee)...... watch out for his first night nervey stage
exit towards the end of the film (Ah! Bless!)


Slimbridge Wild Swans
Uploaded by agracarter2