The Mute Swan is one of the commonest and most recognisable waterbirds in the UK. Its population is increasing, probably due to a combination of increased protection and a ban on the use of lead fishing weights, which often found their way into the Swans digestive tract and slowly poisoned the bird. The Mute Swan is found in almost all areas of the UK and it is estimated that the breeding population is between 6000 and 8000 pairs. The population is increased in the winter by migrants from the continent and has been estimated to number around 79,000 birds.
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