A nature reserve in Cambridgeshire says it has counted about 6,500 whooper swans at its site.

RSPB Ouse Washes, in March, said it had counted the swans which annually migrate about 3,000 miles (4,828km) from Iceland during the Autumn.

It said dawn was the best time to see the birds, which are known for their distinctive whooping call, as they create a white feathered winter wonderland.

Jonathan Taylor, its manager, said: “It is Cambridgeshire’s biggest wildlife spectacle but not many people outside of our regular visitors are aware of the mass migration of swans to our free to visit site, and especially the current dawn gathering as they take flight to seek out food.”