Research team tags swans in Fljótsheiði, Iceland, to study migration patterns

In Fljótsheiði, located in Þingeyjarsveit, researchers are conducting studies and tagging swans. During this process, the swans are calmly placed into specially designed harnesses to ensure their safety. Sverrir Thorstensen, who has been tagging swans for 43 years, explains that the birds are unable to fly while in their harnesses, making them secure while on the water. The team uses a boat equipped with an outboard motor and a long hook to gently lift the swans for tagging.

Sverrir has developed a familiarity with many of the local swans over the years. One particular swan has left a lasting impression on him, as it consistently tries to hide whenever it sees his vehicle. He mentions that the oldest swan he tagged lived for over thirty years.

Recent investigations reveal that a harsh June weather event negatively impacted the swan population in the area, similar to its effects on several other bird species. Although they expected to find well-developed cygnets at this time of year, most of the young swans encountered were still quite immature. However, this is not anticipated to have a significant long-term impact on the population, which remains in the tens of thousands.

The project also involves collaboration with British ornithologists, as many Icelandic swans spend the winter in the UK. Researchers aim to track the swans’ movements, allowing them to observe migration patterns, particularly as the swans travel to the British Isles in the fall. They are also attaching tracking devices to monitor their journeys back in the spring.