A second, not mutually exclusive, hypothesis is that warmer winter weather has benefited this species. Deaths during the winter due to poor weather are an important cause of mortality in many areas ( Spray 1981, Perrins & Sears 1991) and a run of mild winters is likely to have reduced this ( Rowell & Spray 2004). Mild winters are not only associated with low mortality but are also followed by high reproductive output ( Delany et al. 1992) which has also contributed to the increase in the Mute Swan population. A study examining five years' data on breeding biology found that winter temperature was one of the factors significantly affecting the date of laying, which in turn was related to clutch size, which in itself was the most significant factor determining the number of cygnets fledged ( Birkhead et al. 1983), hence demonstrating an effect on breeding performance. Esselink & Beekman ( 1991) have also shown that mild winters are not only associated with low mortality but are also followed by high reproductive output be enabling adults attain peak body condition. This may have been particularly important in Scotland. In Scotland (and presumably elsewhere), the increased autumn sowing of cereals has improved the winter food supply for swans, enabling a higher proportion of birds to survive the winter ( Delany et al. 1992, Ward et al. 2007), although there are no specific analyses to support this. The BTO Ringing Scheme is funded by a partnership of the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of: Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and NatureScot and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland)), The National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) and the ringers themselves. The Nest Record Scheme is funded by the BTO and JNCC. The fitted wedding band follows the shape of the Swan ring in one way to create an elegant and beautiful wedding ring set. Or it creates funky and more open look by turning the band the other way round. The band can be set halfway with diamonds or coloured gemstones, highlighting the engagement ring’s centre gemstone. The meaning of a swan is grace, beauty, love, trust, and loyalty. And a pair of swans represent soul mates for life. Therefore, this pair of swans is ideal for representing an engagement and wedding ring that fit inside each other.

Nest building for the next generation of cygnets starts in February/March, and eggs are laid later in March. After incubation of around 40 days, where Grace will remain on the nest, Cygnets tend to hatch around the first week of May.View ringing totals by area or county for the current year, sorted either alphabetically or by number ringed Our current pair of Mute Swans, Grace and Gabriel, arrived in May 2019, thanks to Swan Rescue South Wales. A single stone open Swan ring is handmade from one piece of precious metal of your choice and can be either highly polished, satin-brushed or hammered texture if you fancy a bit more of a rustic look. Whilst ringers collect data on survival, volunteers for the Nest Record Scheme collect information on productivity. The results can be analysed in combination with population trend data, such as that collected through the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey, to determine at which stage of a bird’s life cycle there might be a problem. This enables scientists and conservationists to target appropriate mitigation measures. Reporting ringed birds The recent increasing trend for this species has been attributed to the banning of lead weights, with other factors including improvements in water quality and wetland habitats possibly also contributing to the trend. As there are currently no conservations concerns, no specific conservation actions are currently required; however, ongoing local management actions and wider policies to maintain favourable conservation status include ensuring that water quality is monitored, and that suitable good quality wetland habitat is maintained. The use of flight diverters on power lines to make them visible to swans has successful reduced mortality caused by collision with them ( Frost 2008), although there is no evidence that collisions have had an effect at a population level.

Robinson, R.A., Leech, D.I. & Clark, J.A. (2023) The Online Demography Report: bird ringing and nest recording in Britain & Ireland in 2022. BTO, Thetford ( http://www.bto.org/ringing-report, created on 21-September-2023) Other Features: Areas or counties (Ireland) in which the greatest number of individuals of each species were ringed in the current year The Swan rings can be made in white, rose, yellow gold or platinum and set with or without diamonds. And if you are not a diamond fan, there are countless beautiful coloured gemstones you can choose from. Our former swan pair, Bryn and Wynn, who were long-standing and much-loved, sadly left us. Bryn, the cob, passed away in April 2018, and Wynn, the pen, departed from the Moat, along with her four remaining cygnets, in October 2018.

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I often hear from my clients complaining about there are so many classic halo, three stone, solitaire and same boring looking rings in other jewellery stores and online shops and not enough different designs. These beautiful fluid curves make this Swan ring a firm favourite with those who like their jewellery simple but striking. Perfect for that special occasion but equally wearable every day. For example, choose a pear-shaped vivid colour stone to be set in one ring and a round or marquise shape gemstone in the other one. Combine it with a different finish – the polished ring looks gorgeous alongside the satin finish band. And you can also play with the metal. Platinum ring next to the rose gold is a fantastic combination.