Thousands of swans migrate to a non-freezing lake in the Altai region for the winter.

While there is no snow, the birds feed in the surrounding fields, and as the frost intensifies and the open water freezes, they gather on the lake LightIt never freezes thanks to the numerous springs gushing from the bottom. Swans remain here throughout the winter, flying back north in early April.  

Whooper swans, mallards, and several pairs of red-listed Bewick's swans winter here, said a government agency inspector. Altaipriroda Alexey Soldatov. To see them, tourists come specifically to the Lebediny Nature Reserve.   

Swans began wintering at Lake Svetloye in the 1960s—at first, there were only a dozen and a half birds. A sanctuary was established in 1973. Last year, there were about two thousand swans there, Soldatov told the Katun 24 television channel. This winter, there should be even more—because they fly to nest in northern Russia and return with their young, the number of birds increasing every year.  

In early December, a warming station with an observation deck for tourists opened near the lake.

Video: "Altai nature»