Bewick's Swan
Cygnus columbarius
Length 115-125cm

The smallest British swan. A winter visitor from October to March from Siberian breeding grounds. Adult pure white with black and yellow bill, triangular in profile; yellow on bill less extensive than on whooper swan and barely reaches nostrils. Juveniles have pinkish buff plumage and pinkish bill; arrive in Britain and remain together as family parties among larger flocks. Most birds return to traditional wintering sites such as Slimbridge WWT Reserve, Gloucestershire, and Welney Wildfowl Refuge, Norfolk. Harsh winter weather sometimes forces wintering birds from continent to move to S and E England.