Whooper swan  (Cygnus cygnus)

Known threats facing this species include the risk of flying into overhead wires (7). As this swan overwinters in such large numbers in Britain, and because a handful of pairs attempt to breed in this country, it is included in the Amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern (3).

44% of the British population of whooper swans and 19% of the Irish population occur within Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and so this species receives a level of protection at these sites. However, as this bird tends to feed away from these protected areas, suitable management in the countryside surrounding these areas must be considered (4).