Could swans' early arrival mean a long winter ahead?

The UK could be heading towards its longest winter in 50 years according to experts at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Each year around 300 swans fly 2,500 miles from Russia to the UK to escape the cold weather; and that wintry weather then follows closely behind them.

This year has brought the earliest ever arrival of the Siberian swans who have flocked to their annual winter destination - a nature reserve at Slimbridge, in Gloucestershire.

Their arrival has been recorded every year since 1963 and the first bird of the year arrived on Sunday - 25 days earlier than last year.

So can animals predict the weather?

If the swans are right it's time to wrap up warm - it looks like it could be a long, chilly winter!