Siberian Winter Not Cold Enough to Make Swans Migrate to Europe

Hundreds of Swans that normally migrate from the cold Arctic to the warmer locations in England each year have decided that there is no necessity to go all the way across to UK on a 1,864 kilometer trip as the Siberian winter is still not as cold as it should be.

23,000 swans that visit different parts of Europe in the winter have not yet started their migratory flight back to places like Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre in UK because the winters this time around in Siberia are simply not cold enough to force them to take the long journey.

Scientists across the globe view this as another effect of the Global Warming phenomenon, which is the reason for warmer winters in Siberia.

The birds normally move out to various places in Europe seeking out shelter by following an in-built biological pattern that is apparently triggered by temperature changes. With global warming keeping Siberia warmer than usual, the birds do not feel a necessity to move out as yet.

Apart from disappointing bird lovers across Europe, this new development could mean that within the next few years, the swans would forget their intuitive migratory patterns that are passed on genetically. If a cold Siberian winter strikes them at that point, they might just not know what to do.

Temperatures have been rising dramatically in the Arctic during the last decade and while some dismiss it as an over-reaction, there surely can be no accusations made that the Swans are a part of the conspiracy theory as well! – via The Independent

Images by BARRY BATCHELOR/PA and josefuteimu

Share

If you're new here and you like our articles, how about subscribing free for our updates via RSS feed.