WWT Welney - swan/duck catch.

After the failed Slimbridge catch, Staff then drove over to WWT Welney in Cambridgeshire for another catching attempt for wildfowl on 05/02/2009. The priority was to fit 15 transmitters onto male Whooper Swans but only 11 were fitted in the end.

We awoke early on the morning of the catch, and peered out of our BnB windows to find heavy snow greeting us! After breakfast we started the journey to Welney, taking us an hour in total (Normally a ten minute journey!).

The catch went ahead, despite the best efforts of the weather and all birds were quickly processed to minimise stress etc.

c30 Whooper Swans, 20 Mute Swans, c20 Mallard and Pochard were caught. A number of birds were released from the catch, keeping numbers to a low total, due to the weather conditions.

Myself and Richard Smith helping to get the birds under control.

Mallard.

After all the ringing had been completed, it was time for us to have some fun in the snow!