Long-staying injured Whooper Swan (1 Viewer)

[greer3]

I've been observing a long-staying injured Whooper Swan on the Kent Estuary which arrived well over two years ago. It has an injured wing which means it can't fly but it can waddle around on land and able to move about easily on the water. Fortunately it's in a location which is free of walkers or dogs so it's in a position to carry on without being disturbed. Apart from its damaged wing it still looks fit and healthy; often injured birds soon start to deteriorate and eventually die.
It will be interesting to see if it manages to see another year out.

 

[delia todd]

I love Whooper Swans Greer, they're so elegant aren't they.

Thanks for keeping an eye on him, it would be nice to know how he goes on.

 

[greer3]

I love Whooper Swans Greer, they're so elegant aren't they.

Thanks for keeping an eye on him, it would be nice to know how he goes on.

Thanks. Sadly it might have been injured after flying into the overhead wires; a few Mute Swan have come a cropper that way in the same location. I've tried, with no success to have some obvious markers placed along the lines; something which was done on the lines close by.

 

[delia todd]

Oh no, that's sad.

A lot of power lines up here have such markers on them, where there's a flyway.

 

[greer3]

Oh no, that's sad.

A lot of power lines up here have such markers on them, where there's a flyway.

The injured swan might have found a mate! There's been a lot of Whoopers passing through, with 65 yesterday. Today the injured bird was feeding in a pool with another Whooper, then they both waddled off into the river together.

 

[delia todd]

Oh how interesting!! And lovely for him too, if that works out.

Thanks for letting us know Greer and please update us on what happens next.

 

[tonyfenn]

There are a few injured whoopers on the ouse washes, a few years ago they even breed

 

[greer3]

There are a few injured whoopers on the ouse washes, a few years ago they even breed

Never knew that. I've been watching it for two years and felt a bit sorry for it as its been on its own. It will be interesting to see what happens

 

[greer3]

The long- staying injured Whooper Swan was joined by another last month. Today, yet another one looks like it's joined the group, so there's now three,
They were all hanging around the same area, not far from each other.

 

[greer3]

Well, now it looks like they've been granted long-term residential status. The three of them are still here and have happily bonded together, feeding and swimming as a group.
They're here for the Summer, for sure.

 

[greer3]

The three of them are still here, keeping close together, but no signs of two of them pairing up to breed unfortunately.

 

[greer3]

Sadly one of the Whooper Swans has died. I found its remains the other day. The other two are still here but there's no sign of breeding.
It looks like the original Whooper is still here. It has a distinctive drooping wing and if it is the long-stayer, this will be its third Summer in the UK.

 

[trw]

The injured long staying Whooper Swan is now here on the Kent estuary for its third Winter. This Summer it was joined by two other Whooper Swans. The three of them couldn't fly. Sadly one was found dead in June and the other disappeared later on.

 

[trw]

The injured long-staying Whooper Swan is still on the Kent estuary in South Cumbria, having survived its third Winter here.

 

[greer3]

Now we are into Summer ( allegedly) I'm pleased to report the long- staying Whooper Swan is now in its third Summer here on the Kent Estuary in South Cumbria. Because of its broken wing it can't fly but it can walk and swim, so it spends its time on the marsh or on the river. Its looking in good shape, apart from the damaged wing. Just about a quarter of a mile away another injured Whooper is spending the Summer in a field which is still flooded following all the rain we've had over the past few months.