Swans reunited as missing mate returns to rekindle 19-year romance

Sarah Knapton, science editor 

22 JANUARY 2018 • 6:03PM

A heartbroken swan who flew into Britain alone six weeks ago after losing his mate during the 2,500 mile journey has finally been reunited with his partner.

Wildlife experts at Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust feared the worst when 26-year-old Bewick's swan Croupier arrived without Dealer, who is mother to his 29 cygnets.

The pair have been together for 19 years and are part of a lineage of swans which can be traced back decades. 

Bewick's swan numbers have plummeted in the past two decades and it was feared Dealer may have been shot or poisoned on her journey back from Russia. 

But on Monday the Trust in Gloucestershire announced that Dealer has finally arrived after going missing for six weeks.

WWT’s swan expert Julia Newth said: "During the 19 years they were together, Croupier and Dealer reared and brought back to Slimbridge 29 cygnets.

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First Bewick’s swans arrive at Slimbridge much earlier than usual

Bewick's swans (Cygnus columbianus bewikii) are the smallest of the three types of swan found in Britain. Usually, they mate for life and the pairs spend each summer at nesting and nursing sites in northern Russia. Then, in September/October, with the Arctic winter beginning, large groups of families start moving in stages across north western Europe, seeking warmer weather. 

Many settle in the Netherlands but, traditionally, around 3,000 - 5,000 travel on to Britain, to overwinter around the rivers Ouse (WWT Welney, Norfolk), Ribble (WWT Martin Mere, Lancashire) and Severn (WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire). A unique bill recognition system means WWT is able to identify many of the visitors by name and knows their full family history, sometimes stretching back 20 years or more.

Bewick's swans make early arrival bringing winter to WWT Slimbridge

October 2010. The first Bewick's swans of the season have arrived at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire, heralding the start of winter - and it may mean that it could be even colder than last winter.

Staff opening up the Centre on October 18th saw the eight swans on the Rushy Lake at dawn. It is the earliest they have arrived since 2003, when they also arrived on the 18th. A couple of the swans called Riso and Risa are among these first returning Bewick's; Risa has been coming here for 13 years.

Arrived with last years 5 chicks

They arrived with five yearlings which were last year's juveniles. These weren't named last year as their unique bill pattern, which they are identified from, takes time to form. The eighth Bewick's to arrive is still waiting to be identified. 

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