Whooper swans descend on Martin Mere for milder winter

Hundreds of “striking” whooper swans from Iceland have descended on a frozen wetland in Lancashire to enjoy a milder winter.

Martin Mere in Burscough, which is managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) recorded its first significant influx of whooper swans, with more than 100 birds counted throughout the day on 5 October.

There are now more than 800 of the bird species at the site.

Cornelius Jones, from Martin Mere, said: “So obviously Iceland, it’s in the name, it’s icy, it’s very cold and I know it’s very icy and very cold out here as well but they do prefer it.”