First set of rare swans due to arrive at wetlands

Hundreds of Whooper swans are nearly at the end of their  800 mile migration from Iceland to the Martin Mere Wetland Centre Wildlife and Wetlands Trust.

Numbers of Whooper Swans are expected to increase up to 2,000 over the coming months as the swans migrate from Iceland to their temporary home at Martin Mere to escape the Arctic winter, creating an amazing wildlife spectacle.

The crossing from Iceland to UK is probably the longest seas crossing undertaken by any swan species.

Swans are powerful fliers and they lose an estimated 25% of their body mass while undertaking the migration. Many of the juvenile swans may only be three and four months of age when they make this incredible journey.