North West Swan Study 
About Mute Swans The Study Group Ringing Process Reporting Swan Sightings
The North West Swan Study was formed in 1988 to study
the Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) population of the
North West of England. This area encompasses Greater Manchester, Lancashire,
Cumbria, Merseyside (north of the River Mersey) and the Isle of Man, a total of
approximately 12,250 sq km.
The method employed is to mark ( or "ring" ) individual birds with uniquely numbered leg rings so that they may be identified on future occasions.
The Study Group
The group consists of several bird ringers who are licensed by the British
Trust for Ornithology. The main ringers currently involved are Wes Halton (Bolton), Jack Sheldon (Barrow in Furness), Dr Steve
Christmas (Manchester), Charlie Findlay (The Fylde) and Dave Sharpe (Isle of
Man). In addition other interested individuals assist in recording ring numbers
and on ringing expeditions.
The ringers are rigorously trained and operate under strict guidelines to ensure that the birds are neither harmed in any way or subjected to excess disturbance during the ringing process.
The study, which is one of several in Great Britain, is assisted by The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and affiliated to the International Wildfowl Research Bureau.
The Ringing Process
Swans are caught by several methods, but most often by simply feeding and then
grabbing hold of them by hand or with a swan hook, which is similar to a small
shepherd's crook. The swan's legs and wings are then restrained using
elasticated bandage to protect both it and the ringer before the ringing
process takes place.
Each swan is fitted with two rings,
one is a metal ring issued by the British Trust for Ornithology with a unique
number and normally lasts for the bird's lifetime.
The second is a large plastic ring (various
colours are in use nationally but the North West Study use a blue ring with
white characters).The latter
can be easily read in the field and alleviates the
need to re-catch the swan to identify it on subsequent occasions and allows the
public to record any swans that they may see. After the actual ringing the
swan's age and sex is assessed and various measurements along with its weight
are recorded . The swan is then immediately released.
The original ringing information is stored on a computer database, to which is added all further sightings of ringed birds, breeding successes, causes of death etc. This database now contains a large amount of information on over 4300 individual swans, and is regularly analysed to monitor trends in movements and sudden increases in the death rate etc.
The group welcome reports of sightings of swans from members of the public. A full copy of the information on each swan seen is sent to people who report details of ringed birds seen to the group.
Reporting Swan Sightings
If you wish to assist the group with any sightings of swans please include the
following details:- Date, Location (with OS grid
reference if possible); number of swans present (ringed and unringed);
a contact phone number if possible
If you require further information or wish to
submit records of ringed swans please contact :- Wes Halton, 6 Hilary Grove, Farnworth,
Bolton, Lancs. BL4 9NA.
Tel 01204 709302 click here to
email us !
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Mute Swans