Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Species
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor). Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on April 30th 2016.
Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on April 30th 2016.
(1/1600th sec at f16. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 20th 2013.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 20th 2013.
(1/1250th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor). Near-adult. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon on May 9th 2011.
Near-adult. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon on May 9th 2011.
(1/125th sec at f4 . Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor). Juvenile. Taken at Rushy Common, Oxon, on August 15th 2015.
Juvenile. Taken at Rushy Common, Oxon, on August 15th 2015.
(1/800th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 140 - 160cm; WS: 200 - 240cm

The Mute Swan has a long S-shaped neck, and an orange bill with a black base. It flies with regular slow wingbeats.

It is found widely in the British Isles and western Europe.

It breeds on freshwater lakes, generally with reed beds.

Mute Swans are not shy of humans, and can act aggressively.

It is on the UK's amber list, as the population is still recovering from loss of habitat, and poisoning by lead fishing weights.

Sightings

22-Mar-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
16-Mar-2024 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
15-Mar-2024 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (2)
02-Feb-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
31-Jan-2024 : Slimbridge, Glos
18-Jan-2024 : Aston, Oxon (7)
16-Jan-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
04-Jan-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
01-Jan-2024 : Cote, Oxon (2)

26-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
26-Dec-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
08-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
05-Dec-2023 : Cote, Oxon (2)
07-Nov-2023 : Slimbridge, Glos
22-Oct-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
22-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (10)
13-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (10)
05-Sep-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
18-Aug-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (6)
01-Aug-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
02-Jun-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
26-May-2023 : Barnwell Country Park, Northants (2+5juv)
18-May-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (15)
27-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
21-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
20-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (13)
17-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
16-Apr-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
04-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
19-Mar-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
26-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
19-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
05-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
01-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
30-Jan-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (5)
19-Jan-2023 : Slimbridge, Glos
13-Jan-2023 : Aston, Oxon (4)
06-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
02-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
01-Jan-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)

26-Dec-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
06-Dec-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
20-Nov-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (4)
13-Nov-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (5)
24-Oct-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
18-Oct-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (4)
16-Oct-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (4)
08-Oct-2022 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3)
23-Sep-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (17)
02-Sep-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon