Upper Dumball (25 February 2011, contributed by Mike Smart)
Another look at the swan field at Upper Dumball this evening where the swans were still grazing in a field of oil seed rape; there were still 48 Bewick’s (37 adults, 11 cygnets, none of which could be specifically identified); 4 Whoopers (three adults, one cygnet), four Mutes (three adults, one cygnet). I stayed until it was nearly dark; at 5.53 pm the Bewick’s all flew off towards Slimbridge, flying south across the river towards Upper Framilode. The Whoopers and Mutes didn’t go with them. I think they went on to the sandbanks on the river, but couldn’t be absolutely certain. Also a Little Owl calling at dusk.