Swan Shuffling in Hamburg's Winter Quarters 🦭
The changing autumn leaves spell farewell to Hamburg's beloved Alster swans, who must bid adieu to their watery playgrounds and canals. This trek to their winter quarters begins on Tuesday, with the early swans making their journey to the Eppendorf mill pond by boat, escorted from the Rathausschleuse lock around 11:00 a.m. A cozy tent awaits them there, sheltering against the threats of diseases like bird flu. The remaining swans, who spent the summer lazying on the far-flung tributaries, will be collected in the days to follow[2].
Estimates predict that up to 80 of these iconic Hamburg landmarks will reside at the Mühlenteich over winter. The affection for Hamburg's Alster swans runs deep, with a history stretching back to 1674. The city's Swan Department established the role of Swan Father annually, ensuring the swans' wellbeing with a unique set of customs and rituals.
Sending Swans Away on a Winter Vacation 🌊❄️
The annual relocation of Hamburg's Alster swans to their swan sanctuaries is a conservation initiative protecting these majestic birds from the harsh realities of a cold, ice-laden winter. Here's an overview of the steps involved in this 3-month process:
- Catch and Prep: Wildlife experts or local authorities lend a helping hand in gently capturing the swans for relocation, ensuring their wellbeing.
- Transport: The swans are then socially-distanced in swan shipped wagons, transported to their designated, comfy winter quarters. These sanctuaries boast adequate food, shelter, and warmth.
- Caretime: The relocation provides several advantages for the swans, like protection from extreme cold, ice, and disease, reduced mortality, and enhanced health monitoring.
- Return to the Alster: When the icy winter chills subside and spring blooms, the swans return to their beloved Alster lakes and canals.
This process is not only a staple in Hamburg, but also in various regions where seasonal birds or waterfowl need safe winter havens[1].
