Formerly and correctly spelt Hooper the name is imitative of
the powerful double rising note depending on whether the
birds are feeding, calling to one another or sounding an
alarm. The name swan is derived from the Old English words;
ilfetu, ilfete and ilfette which are probably of French
origin and from the two Latin words 'sonus' and 'swonos'
both meaning sound or noise. Some historical names for
Whooper Swan include; Elerch and Elk.
There have been sixteen Whooper Swans reported in S.
Gloucestershire;
2010: (2)
Two, and adult and a probable juvenile were seen in flight
down river past Oldbury Power Station at 09:55 on October
16th. There were subsequently seen past Northwick Warth low
south-west at 10:00.
2009: (2)
Two were noted over Aust Warth on the afternoon of the 10th
November.
2008: (1)
An adult was seen in flight low south-west over Severn Beach
on March 29th.
2005: (2)
On January 13th two adults were found at Northwick Warth and
were present in the area from January 13th - 16th when they
departed north-east.
Whooper Swans on Northwick Warth. January 2005. Paul
Bowerman & Gary Thoburn.
2000: (1)
On December 23rd an individual was observed at Oldbury Power
Station in flight and heading north-east.
1983: (8)
One was noted on the 'silt lagoon' at Oldbury Power Station
on October 29th; Five were seen on November 13th in flight
over Northwick Warth, they were all adults and were last
seen departing east; Two were identified on December 4th on
Tortworth Court Lake.