Dutch Birding volume 28 (2006) no 1

Whooper Swans breeding near Wapse in spring 2005
In spring 2005, a pair of Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus bred in a peat bog near Wapse, Drenthe, the Netherlands. The birds were seen mating on 12 April. Later in April, a bird was seen on its nest. The nest contained five eggs, of which four hatched between 20 and 23 May. On 30 May, one young was missing and, in subsequent weeks, the other three disappeared as well (one was found dead); the cause of death is unknown. The adults stayed in the area until 24 July and returned between 15 and 18 October 2005. This is the first documented breeding record for the Netherlands; there is no evidence that the species bred at any time in past centuries. There are no indications that the birds were escapes or injured.

Harvey van Diek, Prins Willem Alexanderstraat 53, 6576 BL Ooij, Nederland
(h.diekchello.nl)