Record numbers of whooper swans at WWT Martin Mere

Numbers increase from just ten to nearly 2,000 in 30 years

December 2010: A record number of 1,940 whooper swans have been recorded at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre earlier this month. 

BOOMING POPULATION: Whooper swans at Martin Mere

Eileen Rees, head of the UK Waterbird Conservation Programme, said: ‘In the 1970s the maximum count for whooper swans was less than ten at Martin Mere, but the provision of a secure roost - the reconstructed mere - in an area where the post-harvest waste potatoes and cereal stubbles provide a good food supply for the birds, saw an increase in numbers of whooper swans during the 1980s and during the 1990s.'

WWT staff at Martin Mere count the swans regularly. Monitoring wildlife is crucial in spotting conservation problems and channelling money and effort to where it is most needed.

Martin Mere celebrating its 35th year
Whooper swans spend the summer in Iceland and use Martin Mere as a winter roost. A combination of the freezing weather, a successful breeding season in Iceland, large open areas of water to provide safety and the fact that we, in partnership with local farmers, provide food for the birds means that we are attracting higher numbers than ever before.

Andy Wooldridge, centre manager, said: ‘We celebrated Martin Mere's 35th birthday this year and it is fantastic that we are finishing the year, also the International Year of Biodiversity, with such great news that whooper swan numbers are continuing to increase. This is a real example of how managing land for wildlife is working and it is thanks to our reserve staff whose knowledge and experience with wildlife, built up over decades, is paying off.'

The whooper swans are fed everyday at 3pm and 3.30pm creating a swan spectacular, as all of the swans feed right before your eyes creating an amazing display.

You can now watch the swans on the mere live on the centre's webcam.