Thousands of Arctic swans are expected to spend the winter in northeastern Greece after the first arrivals were recorded in the Evros Delta, a wetland that has become one of the species’ most important seasonal refuges. Wildlife officials counted 70 Bewick’s swans at Monolimni Lagoon following their arrival in the second half of October.
The birds were documented by staff from the Evros Delta and Dadia National Parks management unit, part of Greece’s Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency. The agency said in Wednesday’s announcement that thousands more are expected to arrive gradually in the coming weeks.
Arctic swans make Greece a winter stronghold
The number of swans wintering in the delta has grown sharply over two decades. Just 30 were recorded in 2005, compared with 2,200 in 2010 and 8,400 in 2016. The count reached a record of about 11,000 in 2022, placing the area among the world’s leading wintering sites for the species.
The change has drawn interest from scientists across Europe. In Britain, one of the birds’ traditional wintering destinations, numbers have fallen sharply. Researchers from other countries are visiting the Evros Delta and working with Greek conservation staff to understand why the birds’ migration patterns are changing.
Their growing presence in the delta stands apart from a trend among other waterbirds. Geese, ducks and mute swans have increasingly spent colder months farther north, a shift associated with climate change. Researchers are still investigating what is driving the different pattern seen among Bewick’s swans.
Protected wetlands provide shelter for migrating swans
Bewick’s swans are the smallest of Europe’s three swan species. They breed in Arctic tundra and travel thousands of kilometers each year. From breeding grounds within the Arctic Circle, different populations fly toward Asia, northern Europe and the southeastern Mediterranean.
During their stay, the birds use the wider Evros Delta rather than remaining in one location. They feed across surrounding land, including extensive rice fields on the Turkish side of the river’s delta.
For rest and overnight shelter, they usually return to protected areas on the Greek side, according to the conservation agency. Those places give the long-distance migrants a safe place to spend the night as they move through another winter season.
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