Urban birds at Hull. 27. Whooper Swan

Whooper Swans are migratory, the British population breeds in Iceland and flies to overwinter in the North and East of the UK. Whoopers are slightly smaller than Mute Swans and have a yellow wedge-shape mark in the bill, and a thinner neck than Mute Swans, which they carry more straight. 

Status and distribution in Hull

Whoopers are most often seen during migration in Hull, usually in clear, still mornings. Records are becoming more regular with several sightings per year. Flocks fly in neat V formations, calling, as opposed to the wing-beat noise of Mute Swans. Peak migration time is the end of March and the end of October. The largest flock recorded over Hull recently comprised 42 individuals migrating North flying low over Princes Avenue on 10th March 2017.

Part of the 42 strong Whooper Swan flock on 10th March 2017.

The whole flock on 10th March 2017.

A flock of 10 individuals crossing the Humber, 24th October 2021.

Lone Whooper flying East by the General Cemetery, 15th October 2021.

The closest wintering populations are the Lower Derwent Valley, and in the Humber. Groups also roost at North Cave Wetlands. Occasional lone individuals remain in Hull during winter, or might spend a few days on an urban lake, usually in the company of Mute Swans, possibly having become separated from their flock. In March 1997 and in the winter of 1998 a quite approachable individual spent some time in East Park (above, a photo from a printed photo, those were the days before digital cameras!). This was my first Whooper Swan. In spring 2019, a young individual spent some time at Oak Road Lake, in the company of the resident Mute Swan family, between the 10th April and the 29th May. 

Young Whooper Swan with mute swans at Oak Road Lake, 12th April 2019.

Young Whooper Swan, 12th April 2019.

Although tameness in lone Whoopers could be a result individuals being escapees from collections, wild Whooper swans are fed daily in some nature reserves in the UK in the winter (e.g. WWT Martin Mere and Caerlaverock) so even wild individuals, particularly when in the company of the tame Mute Swans, could become approachable.

4th May 2019. Oak Road Lake

29th May 2019. Oak Road Lake

Conservation

Whooper Swans are Amber listed birds in the UK, although the wintering British population is increasing. The results of the latest coordinated nationwide count of wintering migrating swans in January 2020 estimated over 43,000 individuals, a 27% increase since 2015.

More information

WWT Wild Swan monitoring. here.

Broughton, Richard K. 2002. Birds of the Hull area. Kingston Press. Hull, UK.