As the season closes, the swans stay
As November settles over Dorset, the visitor gates at Abbotsbury Swannery close for the year. But while guests head home, the swans remain. With elegant silhouettes cast across the winter skies, the Mute Swans continue their lives undisturbed, their routines shaped by the changing season and the unique landscape of the Fleet Lagoon.
The Fleet’s shelter and food keep swans close
The Fleet Lagoon, stretching for 8 miles behind Chesil Bank, plays a vital role in supporting swans through the winter, offering a rare combination of shelter, fresh water, and food – all essential for cold-weather survival. The brackish waters, a blend of salty sea and fresh water, nourishes large eelgrass beds. The underwater meadows are rich feeding grounds for the swans and many other species of overwintering birds.
The swans shift along the Fleet with the weather. In harsher spells, they often return to the sheltered end near the Swannery. Here, staff keep a close eye on them, ensuring their condition stays stable through cold snaps. Supplementary feeding helps support the birds when natural sources become harder to reach.
Quiet months bring important changes
While the breeding season is behind them, winter is not a dormant time. Young swans, known as cygnets, are still developing. By November, many are full-grown and begin sporting a few white feathers, amongst their predominantly grey plumage, as they begin to blend in with the adults. This period is also when the Swannery team completes key monitoring tasks, such as confirming identification rings and collecting data that will inform the health and movement of the colony.
Winter is a time of rest, but it’s also one of important activity. Swans begin to pair up ahead of the spring nesting season, forming the bonds that will carry them into the next year.
A quiet season alive with wildlife
Though the footpaths are still, the Fleet remains full of life. As well as swans, the nature reserve is a winter haven for many bird species. Wigeons, teals, and other wildfowl arrive in large numbers, drawn by the lagoon’s calm waters and food supply. The area’s status as a protected site helps preserve this rich winter landscape, which plays an essential role in supporting birdlife from across the region.
Even without the daily rhythm of visitor activity, the Swannery and Fleet continue to play a vital role in Dorset’s wildlife story. This quiet season is just as important as the warmer months – it is part of the rhythm that allows this place, and its swans, to thrive year after year.
A reminder of nature’s pace
While many attractions close for the winter, nature does not. At Abbotsbury Swannery, the colder months are a time of steady preparation. The swans adapt and continue, shaped by tides, temperature, and instinct. The Fleet remains a lifeline through the year-round home for one of Dorset’s most iconic species.
Posted on November 30th 2025
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