Lockdown Diaries: Day 2 - In appreciation of the Whooper Swan

The past two days have dawned dreary and cold yet today the light streamed through the blind, meaning we woke with lighter hearts after the past few days of gloom.

This morning, while washing last night's dishes, we stood and watched in awe as yet more whooper swans left. Travelling north towards their breeding grounds, huge groups are leaving en masse: and the calm, pleasant day we have today provides the perfect conditions to start their long migration.

Of course, leaving from South Uist, they may yet undertake several more stops. But the absolute last for the birds that have overwintered on the Outer Hebrides must be a loch right at the top of Lewis - Loch Stiapabhat. Crofts surround this small freshwater loch, fenced boundaries radiating from the water edge. Housebound people can sit at their house windows and watch the whoopers both arriving and leaving. For this is the last land the whoopers will see until they reach their breeding grounds in Iceland, a mere 500 miles away, as the swan flies.

The swans are eagerly looked out for in autumn, and indeed we had one that stayed on the loch at the back of our house all summer last year. Solitary either by accident or design, she spent the summer accompanied only by mallards and tufted ducks delighting in the disturbance of her feeding. By the time October came around, she was agitated and was often to be seen watching the sky. I was lucky enough to see her reunion with her family: She greeted them enthusiastically, with soft whoops of welcome coming from both parties, and has remained a part of the group all winter long.

Now, they leave in groups of 10, 20, and this morning, 50. The sound of the air moving underneath so many huge, strong wings leaves an impression like no other, and of course there's the farewell whoops, the soft longing that comes from saying goodbye to a favourite, and kind-heartedness of wishing them a swift and easy journey.

These graceful swans are one of the our winter highlights, complementing the lochs that are their homes. Their purity of colour, elegance of shape and loyalty to their families are a joy to us all. Now, their departure paves the way for our summer species. New migrants that are even now getting ever closer and with them, and with the whooper swan's departure, comes the reminder of brighter days ahead. ​