Flocks Of Swans

[Maydup]

I often see a couple of pairs of swans down on the marshes but this week we have two flocks, one on each field, of about 50 swans each.

Its breath taking to see them all.

What has attracted them I wonder? I've always assumed the fields to be regular grassy marshland: I'm not sure anything would grow in the wet conditions, but the swans all appear to be feeding very busily. Could there be a crop in the ground that's attracting them?

[wildwood]

What species of swans? I suspect this is the time that whatever aquatic weed present is setting seeds.

[Wharton]

wildwood is right and if you ever think of feeding swans don't give them bread, they prefer lettuce.

[cupid04]

webs wonder or iceberg?

[Maydup]

I'm pretty sure they are Mute swans.

[Wharton]

Any old Lactuca Sativa will do, cos I know about this.

[Maydup]

I'm not interested in feeding swans, I'm asking about them flocking in the marshland nearby. Any ideas what makes them flock like this? Is it unusual?

[Wharton]

Read wildwood's answer.

[follyfancier]

usually this time of year they will be Bewick swans ,there are huge flocks of them in North Lincolnshire and they feed on the left over crops like sugar beet and potatoes,the farmers leave it in the fields for wild fowl,the Pink Footed Geese enjoy it too

[Maydup]

Thanks follyfancier, that sounds plausible.

We're right in the middle of sugar beet land and its possible that the field with the swans in was cropped this year.

[Chipchopper]

Various species of swans will often feed on winter sprouting cereals or young vegetation in flooded fields.

I think, in some areas like the Fens and wild fowl and wetlands trusts, some crops will be set-aside for them