It had just started to rain at lunchtime when Dave Land called me to say that there were 2 Berwicks Swan on the marsh which could be viewed from the gate near to the RSPB Car Park.  I hadn't photographed this species in Devon before so, a new species for my Devon Bird Gallery was on offer. I hopped in to the birding car and I was quickly down there to join Dave  Land, Dave Stone and a couple of other brave souls.  The rain was hammering down and it was horribly cold as well. The good news though was the birds were still there and showing very well not too far away in the field as well. The only thing was, they weren't Berwicks Swans but Whoopers! This wasn't a disappointment for me because I hadn't photographed that species before either. I had literally siddled up to the gate when out of the ditch very close, I took  few photos, not everyone had see it and it was quickly disturbed and flew off unfortunately.  The swans were mingling with Canada Geese and a few Mute Swans, feeding voraciously on the grass. I was taken with them immediately, a lovely elegant swan with the yellow markings on the beak standing out against the green of the meadow.

Some really interesting facts about this species.

• The Whooper Swan is the national bird of Finland
• The Whooper Swan is thought to be one of the worlds heaviest flying birds.
• Whooper Swans that over-winter in the UK are from the Iceland breeding population.

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