From the Real Iceland

Two Whooper Swans in flight

Having met up with some visitors from Iceland in December I have yet to arrange my visit to their homeland to photograph the penguins and polar bears. If you think I'm going mad check out my last blog for it seems that Iceland offers some pretty amazing wildlife photography opportunities. Maybe I shall put it on my list of possible destinations for next winter. Of course, the alternative is that Iceland's wildlife comes to visit me in Scotland. I guess the polar bears will struggle to cross the vast expanse of sea and it's probably too far for the penguins to fly but it certainly isn't too far for one of my favourite birds, the Whooper Swan. As I write this, there are several hundred of these magnificent birds on the Caerlaverock Nature Reserve and surrounding area in SW Scotland.

A Whooper Swan tries to keep warm in winter

Every year some 25,000 Whooper Swans fly from Iceland to overwinter in the UK. Although Iceland can get very cold in winter it is also one of the most volcanic places on the planet. Consequently, warm volcanic springs in some parts of the island mean that not all Whooper Swans have to migrate to escape the cold. Around 2,000 birds will remain in the warmer parts of Iceland all year round. Their natural habitat is a wetland one. Nests are constructed near to good clean water sources that provide the main food source of aquatic vegetation. They live in family colonies and larger groups, becoming territorial mainly during the breeding season. Interestingly, not all adult Whooper Swans breed and only a small percentage account for the perpetuation of the species. Three or four cygnets is the norm with occasional broods of five or six. Generally birds will pair for life and whilst 'divorce' is uncommon it does occur occasionally.

A young Whooper Swan gliding to land

Around mid October as the winter chill spreads south from the North Pole the Whooper Swans prepare to head to warmer climes. Some of these family groups will have youngsters that are only a couple of months old. Calm, moonlit nights are a favourite for the migratory flights. Birds will gather and characteristic whooping and head bobbing signals their intention to fly. Running on land or water to gain speed they stretch those huge white wings and lift off. They don't fly particularly high in the sky and tend to stay close to the surface of the sea. With almost silent wing-beats and only the occasional whoop cutting through the silence of the night they make their way to the Scottish coastline. It is a perilous journey and not all of the birds will make it. Some will become separated from their family groups and others may perish in bad weather having been blown miles off course. This is not a journey of choice but of necessity and survival. If all goes well many birds will rest on the Isle of Lewis before heading further south.

Some 500 Whooper Swans come to the Solway area near to Caerlaverock with around 300 taking up winter residence on the reserve. It is always exciting to see parents arriving with new offspring, for the same birds tend to return each year. However it is a sad occasion when a bird known to have left Iceland remains unaccounted for. Once here, they are sometimes seen alongside our resident Mute Swans but, with their distinctive yellow and black bills emitting frequent ‘whooping’ noises, they are easy to distinguish.
 

A Whooper Swan on an icy pond

Each winter at WWT Caerlaverock the reserve wardens and scientists catch large numbers of Whooper Swans to enable them to further their research and understanding of these birds. The swans are weighed, measured, have blood samples taken to check for viruses and toxins, and ringed.

With international law now protecting Whooper Swans it would be reasonable to assume that the birds should reach their normal lifespan of 10 – 12 years without facing significant danger. Sadly, this is not the case; lead shot is still a major problem. Although banned in the UK it is permitted in Iceland. Shot from spent gun cartridges or fishing is swallowed by the birds and just 3 pellets will cause a prolonged and painful death. Despite international protection a staggering 14% of Whooper Swans have lead  pellets embedded in their bodies as a consequence of being shot. However, despite all of the hazards the swan population is actually healthy and growing steadily to the extent that WWT no longer regard Whooper Swans to be a conservation concern.

Long may the current optimism continue for these wonderfully vocal birds are part of the Solway scene and somehow winter would never be the same without them. 

Three Whooper Swans in flight

If you would like to receive an automatic notification whenever I post anything new please go to the top right corner of the white main page and enter your email address in the box below 'Follow by Email' and then click on 'submit'. Please follow the instructions carefully and you will be notified by e-mail whenever I add to this blog. 

You can also register as a 'follower' on the right hand side of this page by clicking on the 'join this site' link below the 'followers' badge. However you need to complete the 'Follow by Email' as above to receive automatic update notifications.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Your support is important to me and much appreciated. 

Follow me at:-  www.tomlanglandsphotography.com
Follow me at:-  www.facebook.com/TomLanglandsPhotography

Follow me at:-  www.tomlphotography.blogspot.com

Follow me at:-  www.twitter.com/tomlphotography

Follow me at:-  www.flickr.com/photos/tom_langlands_photography

Articles and photography copyright of Tom Langlands