Project Description

Project Name

Bewick’s Swan: Conservation Concept for an Endangered Migratory Bird Species in Germany

 

Duration

6 years (2020-2026)

Background

Approximately half of the Northwest European Bewick’s swan population migrates to Germany every winter to overwinter and refuel energy for the upcoming migration and breeding season. The largest roosting populations are located in the three northern states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Like most waterfowl, Bewick’s swans sleep on water at night, where they are protected from foxes and other predators. During the day, they are usually foraging on agricultural land in river valleys. During the autumn migration and wintering, Bewick’s swans mainly feed on carbohydrate-rich food, such as maize, which can quickly provide them with energy. During the spring migration, they mainly feed on protein-rich grasses in wet grasslands, which not only provide nutrients for flight muscles but also for egg production in the breeding area. Thus, suitable food availability during the migration period plays an important role in the breeding success of Bewick’s swans.

While the roosting populations in Germany are currently increasing, the overall population has been declining in recent years. The causes significant in Germany and what we can do locally to protect Bewick’s swans and contribute to the long-term recovery of the Northwest European population will be clarified in this research project.

The Project

Zwergschwäne am Schlafplatz - © NABU / Lisa Vergin
Bewick's swans on a night roost

The international action plan of the AEWA (Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds) for the protection of the Northwest European Bewick’s swan population lists several reasons that may explain the decline in the population. These include, among others:

In line with the action plan, we want to clarify the risks faced by Bewick’s swans in Germany, how they utilize the local food supply, and what measures need to be taken for Bewick’s swan protection. To achieve this, we have set the following goals: 

We will research which habitats Bewick’s Swans use when and how, and investigate the importance of the connectivity of roosting and feeding areas. We also want to uncover conflicts, including with wind turbines, power lines, and hunting, and develop appropriate solutions. We will also examine when, why, and in which areas Bewick’s Swans die.

 

By building new roosting waters at suitable locations, we will investigate whether it is possible to steer Bewick’s Swans into more protected and optimized habitats to avoid potential conflicts.

 

In the northern German states, regular synchronous counts are conducted in the middle of the month, recording total numbers, juvenile proportions, and food habitats. To facilitate this monitoring and to expand it in the long term, a counting area exchange will be established as part of the project. This is primarily intended for volunteer bird counters and allows them to find suitable counting areas and book them directly. The booking of counting areas should be possible both spontaneously and in the long term. In addition, the system offers a better opportunity to highlight areas with insufficient coverage.

 

Another important pillar of our project is public relations. To introduce Bewick’s Swans to both locals and tourists, social media channels are used, leaflets are created, and new information boards are set up at selected locations. Also, the ” Bewick’s Swan Days”, established in the Eider-Treene-Sorge region for years, where expert excursions are offered, are to be expanded and enhanced.

 

Measures and Implementation

  • Blüml, V.; Degen, A.; Dirks, H.; Schürstedt, H. (2007). Die nordwestliche Diepholzer Moorniederung als Rast- und Überwinterungsgebiet für Schwäne (Cygnus ssp.). Vogelkundliche Berichte aus Niedersachen 39, 103-120
  • Nagy, S.; Petkov, N.; Rees, E.C.; Solokha, A.; Hilton, G.; Beekman, J.; Nolet, B. (2012). International Single Species Action Plan for the Northwest European Population of Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii). AEWA Technical Series No. 44. Bonn, Germany. Erhältlich unter http://www.unep-aewa.org/sites/default/files/publication/ts44_ssap_bewicks_swan.pdf
  • Rees, E. (2006). The Bewick’s Swan. UK: T. & A.D. Poyser, London.
  • Wahl & Degen (2009). Rastbestand und Verbreitung von Singschwan Cygnus cygnus und Zwergschwan C. bewickii im Winter 2004/05 in Deutschland. Vogelwelt 130: 1-24.