Bewick's Swan
Cygnus bewickii
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Bewick's Swans are smaller than both Mute and Whooper Swans and have suffered a catastrophic decline — UK wintering numbers have fallen from 17,000 to just 7,000 since the 1990s, linked to degraded conditions on their Siberian breeding grounds and along their flyway. Any group of swans on Sefton Coast farmland in winter is worth scrutinising carefully. Each Bewick's Swan has a unique bill pattern (yellow-black) that researchers use to identify individual birds.
At a Glance
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Habitat | Farmland · Wet grassland · Coastal marsh |
| Diet | Grass, roots, grain, agricultural crops |
| UK population | Winter only; around 7,000 birds — declined from 17,000 in the late 1990s; red-listed |
| Sefton Coast | Occasional in small numbers; usually with Whooper Swans on farmland. Numbers have dropped significantly. |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Farmland around Crossens and Hesketh Out Marsh. Check any Whooper Swan flock carefully.
Identification
Smaller than Whooper Swan. Yellow on bill is more limited — a rounded patch not reaching nostrils (Whooper's yellow extends forward). Rounder head. Higher-pitched, more musical call than Whooper.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Check any Whooper Swan group carefully for the smaller, rounder-headed Bewick's. Bill pattern is key — Whooper has a pointed wedge of yellow; Bewick's has a rounded blob. A telescope is essential.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is on the UK Red List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating serious concern about its population decline or unfavourable conservation status. Monitoring this species on the Sefton Coast contributes to national population tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Bewick's Swans declining so rapidly?
Bewick's Swans breed in Arctic Siberia and migrate thousands of miles to winter in northwest Europe. The decline is driven by multiple factors along the flyway — hunting in parts of Europe, collisions with power lines, habitat degradation in Russia, and disturbance on wintering grounds. The UK hosts one of the most important wintering populations, making Sefton Coast sightings increasingly precious.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.