Ringed Whooper Swans in the Eden Valley - Winter 1999-2000

The Eden valley between Bolton and Little Salkeld is a regular wintering area for Whooper Swans. The flock is often split and parties can usually be found on riverside pastures at favoured sites at Langwathby Bridge, Watersmeet, Kirkby Thore and Bolton. In the winter of 1999-2000, the flock appeared to peak at 50 (in early March) and amongst these birds were at least three colour ringed individuals, the histories of which are presented below.  Darvic 4NP: Ringed as an adult on 25 July 1992 at Miklavatn, Northern Iceland and recaptured there three years later on 2 August 1995. Seen again at Dagheen, County Mayo on 14 March 1998 and was at Langwathby on 26 December 1999 and on 20 February 2000 where it appeared to be with an unringed mate and three cygnets. Darvic KVN: Ringed as an adult on 7 August 1999 at Miklavatn, Northern Iceland and seen at Langwathby on 16 January and 20 February 2000 with an unringed mate. Darvic VZH: Arrived at Martin Mere as a dependant cygnet on 29 October 1995 and stayed until 31 March 1996 during which time it was ringed (on 29/02/1996). Spent part of the next four winters at Martin Mere - 6 October 1996 to 29 March 1997, 6 December 1997 to 8 March 1998, 17 October to 26 December 1998 (with unringed mate) and exactly the same dates the following winter, 17 October to 26 December 1999. It then was ?read‘ at Langwathby on 1 and 20 February 2000. All three birds probably spent some time in the valley last winter though it is known that swans can be highly mobile and there is no certainty that they were present for all of the period between the dates they were sighted. It is also likely that they were present before and after these dates. The rings were hard to read with length of grass being a problem but it is worth persevering to gain information of this nature. Any sightings should be sent to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge who also supplied the above details. Dave Shackleton