Tuesday 18th March 2025 (Sally)

Remember me 🪿

What a difference a couple of days makes! A good clean up and pain relief. Free of the badly broken and infected wing and the second should make a good recovery 💚

She has a safe permanent home now at the Sanctuary 🫶🏻🪿🫶🏻

Sunday 16th March 2025 (Sally)

A call came in from a concerned member of the public about a domestic goose with a damaged wing 🪿

Turned out she resided on private land so once permission gained to rescue I donned waders, fought my way through some brambles to secure this poor goose. She was indeed in a very bad way but was still keen to swim away from me. Luckily not able to get up any speed she was soon in my arms but as you can see one wing was literally hanging by a thread and will require amputation. The second wing is in good working order but in very poor condition so plenty of pain relief and a good rest overnight before undertaking some remedial treatment and hopefully will soon be on the road to recovery. As a disabled goose she will receive lifetime care at the Sanctuary 💚🫶🏻🪿

Friday 14th March 2025 (Sally)

This poor boy had been in residence with just his mum since January with no sign of dad. For the past 2 days mum had been giving him flying lessons as if she knew her cob was on his way back to find them. She was right as in he flew yesterday and decided this gorgeous cygnet was no longer welcome and he wanted to reclaim his pen and his territory.

He was very lucky that a local family who look out for the swans were on hand, quickly phoned for help and stayed with him until I arrived … which is so helpful and very appreciated 🫶🏻

When I got there, caught and had a good look at the wing I could tell it wasn’t broken but quickly made sure it was back in it’s proper place before popping him in swan bag to keep him secure.

Off to the Sanctuary for a good check over to confirm, some pain relief and anti-inflammatory and was introduced to some friends who I’m sure will be swapping similar stories while he recovers 🦢💚🦢

#blue81

March 3rd 2025 (Danni)

Another day in paradise for UK wildlife. 

Concerns were raised to us about this beautiful girl who had a very large bulge under her beak, initial reports to us were raised as a grass ball, grass balls are common and usually cause no concerns as most swans eventually manage to wash free, however some larger grass balls, especially in cygnets can become troublesom.

However on arrival it became very obvious this wasnt a grass ball. Suspicions straight away pointed in the direction of an unwelcomed object, and knowing the location as an area with a history of wildlife crime shootings it was no surprise to feel, once rescued two large metal objects.

Thankfully she sustained mo head trauma and the surgery to remove was a success and she is recovering well at the Shepperton Swan Sanctuary.

💚🦢

Friday 21st February 2025 (Sally)

After Delilah’s rescue & witnessing the behaviour between mum and dad and the 2 remaining cygnets…I rung Clare & we decided to relocate asap & ensure the siblings stayed together 🦢

Back to the park this afternoon we met and caught Duke & Jaws & they are now happy and safe with Dolly & Delilah. They were also greeted by Luna & Skye from last week who are doing so well in their new home 🦢

Friday 21st February 2025 (Sally)

Rescue One this morning saw Delilah needing a new place to call home and no longer welcome with the family.
I know this family really well and suspected as soon as I got there that she had spent the morning off the lake and maybe all of last night and really needed relocation. Off she went to join her sister Dolly at Earlswood and soon settled in for a good bathe and preen 🦢
Last picture is of Keith who is a long term rescuer for Swans & Friends Bird Rescue and as he lives near met him for a coffee to introduce him to all the new cygnets that he will continue to check for me on a regular basis 🦢🫶🏻🦢

Thursday 20th February (Danni)  (press for insta post)

Todays rescue adventures had me down in bath assisting a fellow rescuer with a cob that had a double triple barbed hook in his beak.. after a few close calls i was eventually able to coax him into a lock where the rescue was carried out

hook freed, a quick assessment of some minor injuries he was quickly released back to his waiting penn.

Sunday 16th February 2025 (Sally)

No sooner had I got home from releasing 2 cygnets but a call came in from Rob & Tess reporting that Dolly had been chased off her lake by daddy George and needed rescue.

Looking like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards because I literally have been for the last 2 days I jumped back in the car. Soon there I witnessed poor Dolly being flown at and being chased aggressively round the island and to the end of the lake pinned onto a corner.

Having spent most of my weekend in water I was incredibly grateful when Rob offered to get in and drive her out onto the bank. No sooner was he in, Dolly decided to make a move. Being well placed he managed to get hold of her & quickly had her fully under control and out so we could bag her 🦢 well done Rob on your first swan rescue👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I took Dolly to be released with Skye and Luna who all seemed pretty happy with their new home.

While there I went to see John’s bench, founder of Swans & Friends Bird Rescue and is forever remembered at this lake for all the good work he did for wildlife 🫶🏻

Sunday 16th February 2025 (Sally)

An early start as planned, two and a half hours later, countless cuts and bruises and soaking wet… Skye finally was caught. I think I have now experienced every off limit part of the park and climbed more fences than I care to remember!

Mum was turning quite nasty pulling at him if he got near but we weren’t giving up. So thankful to get her in my arms at last and reunite him with sister Luna and very grateful to the lovely kayakers who helped

They travelled so well together and was lovely to give them the chance to reacquaint themselves before releasing together with a friendly flock 

With Avian Influenza present at some areas in the country it is very important to keep them within a safe area and we are very limited with suitable lakes in West Sussex. Any rivers run down to the coast where AI has been reported so they are safe where they are and will be well fed and not too far if people want to visit 🦢

Saturday 15th February 2025 (Sally)

I knew on Friday night that this weekend would be time for Skye and Luna to leave the lake. The level of aggression had been increasing from mum and dad now they wanted them to go 

I was already on my way to the park Saturday morning to check when I was alerted to the fact one of the cygnets had been chased off.

I managed to get between her and the water and although she didn’t want to be caught she was very quickly in my arms & secured 

I took her home to keep her safe & called Danni for help with his kayak to drive off the second cygnet so they could be relocated and released together. The lake is vast and a lot of places not readily accessible and withmum & dad tired from a mornings chasing were not helping so we decided to call it a day.  Clare and I went back later that evening to check on them but decided an early Sunday morning start was the way to go.

Settled Luna in for the night & promised her I would bring her brother to join her for release.

February 9th 2025 (Danni) (press for instagram video content)

Unfortunately for this handsome yet hissy chap the memo from mum and dad for him to move out wasnt recieved or welcomed.

Its a very confusing time for cygnets, they can litrally overnight go from being loved and protected by both parents to being told to leave and if they dont, the aggression against them can cause serious or fatal injuries

Although it was what seemed a perfect place, and the cygnet was clearly looking for help it was still not the easiest of rescues..

The water was thigh deep but the silt took it in parts to my waist, hence the hectic mid rescue moments, both my feet and thighs were stuck and the cygnet attempted to twist me over.

Thankfully, with an amused filming crowd i disnt make any Beadle moments 🤣

Released to a local flock and seemed to be accepted straight away

Thursday 30th January 2025 (Sally)

This poor cob from Bosham was reported as lethargic and finding it hard to walk.  He lives in a tidal area and was sat for long periods of time on mud flats very bedraggled and in need of help. He was also reportedly being picked on by the resident swans.

He was transported to the Swan Sanctuary for some rest and recuperation before being released to a local friendly flock 🦢

Saturday 18th January 2025 (Sally)

Not destined to have a birthday lunch today. Just off to celebrate and called out to a naughty swan who had landed on a lake with a territorial pair and very much been chased off awaiting rescue.

Caught and secured very quickly when a message came from a dog walker that there was a second on the other part of the lake and also needed a rescue before the pair were any the wiser

Clare arrived and although it gave us the run around & It looked like I would be bringing one home for the night she managed to secure the second.

Best outcome all round that the pair could be relocated together at a nearby safe and free lake 

Thanks as always to Rob & Tess who are our eyes and ears in the area and alert us to swans in need 🫶🏻

Wednesday 15th January 2025 (Danni) (press for video Graphic content)

We were called out today to rescue a swan after it was hit by a London tube train.

Amazingly she was still alive when i arrived and a quick rescue was carried out.

Fantastic work by the Piccadilly line station and service controlstaff who were ready and waiting for our arrival.

The benefits of working for London Underground enabled me to contact the right people to allow me safe access onto the track.

The swan was safely transported to the Shepperton Swan Sanctuary where she will under go wing surgery.

Monday 30th December 2024 (Sally)

This morning I had the pleasure of transporting a Great Crested Grebe that had landed on a road late last night and was reported as not being able to walk

Grebes are so adapted to life on the water and diving under it to fish that they find themselves incredibly clumsy on land and because their legs are set so far back on their bodies they struggle to stand or walk. Subsequently, when they find themselves away from water, reporters often mistake them as being injured or having leg or back problems

This little one was taken to the Swan Sanctuary to be checked over and as it was in good health it was agreed that it should be released back on to water as close to where it was found as soon as possible. The postcode where it was found was 2 kilometres away from the nearest lake but from there it could stay or fly to find its home

A fellow rescuer, Ruhee from the correct area very kindly collected from the Sanctuary just after I left and released where it happily swam off, giving a good dive of thanks

I feel very privileged to have seen one of theses beautiful birds so close up, although it is definitely worth noting they are feisty birds with very long sharp beaks 💚🪶🫶🏻

19th & 20th November 2024 (Sally)

Daisy’s parents and 4 siblings decided to fly off yesterday morning and left her to fend for herself. She was the smallest of all the cygnets and was not keeping up with flying lessons and after reports of a cygnet crash landing I suspect it was her and had sustained some bruising.

Off I went last night to check if they had flown back in to rejoin her but there she was completely alone in the dark, off the water and calling for her family so home she came so I could observe overnight and check to see what injuries if any she had that would have prevented her from flying with them.

Family not returned and I was unhappy about the alignment of her tail so off to the The Swan Sanctuary she went and will get the care she needs, plenty of good food and the company she craves from other swans her age 🦢

She went in a pen with Fluffy and instantly decided he would be her friend. Fluffy is looking great, a confident cygnet who is eating the Sanctuary out of house and home and seems happy to be there… always good for me to see rescues I have taken in thriving 💚

17th November 2024 (Sally)

It’s that time of year when calls come in for cygnets that have been chased off their territories by their parents. This gorgeous boy had been picked on not only by his parents but also his 4 siblings so was very ready to be rescued and taken to the The Swan Sanctuary for some R&R and some good food 💚

Clearly exhausted from his experience, he was just up for a good preen and sleep when he got there but is expected to recover quickly and be released onto the nursery pond to make lots of new friends in the coming days 🦢

Whilst there I checked on Fluffy, taking his favourite sweetcorn with me to share with his roommates. He is doing well and seemed very attached already to another cygnet 🦢💚🦢

16th November 2024 (Sally)

Having monitored Fluffy over the last few days, today the decision was made to relocate him to The Swan Sanctuary where he can be around cygnets his own age and learn some new skills 🦢

Being an only child in the swan world is tough and with inexperienced parents he was not being taught the skills he needs to survive in the wild, fly to get himself out of danger and although they loved him to bits he was spending more and more time left alone and a bit down in the dumps.  He was also off lake for long periods on his own and in the path of off the lead dogs.

It is incredibly tough for those who love and care for him to see him go, myself included, but as always it has to be what is best for the swan and personal feelings have to be set aside.

As soon as I got to the Sanctuary, any doubt I had evaporated, he was so happy to be around other cygnets and am really hoping he will thrive, gain some muscle from flapping those wings and put on a few more pounds from his 6.35kg starting position.

10th November 2024 (Sally)

Whilst dropping Bruiser to the The Swan Sanctuary a call came in reporting that a cygnet had landed and was sat on the pavement of a very busy road in Hampton Hill.

Off I went and had to park in the local Sainsbury’s and run over as although it doesn’t look it just in front of of me it was 4 lanes and at the Sainsbury’s junction it became 6 and incredibly busy. He may have been sitting quietly awaiting pick up but as soon as he saw me he was up and about to make a dash for it. No time to lose in these situations and with a danger of him running into the traffic I soon had him secured and back to the Sanctuary where the police had been ringing to ask if a cygnet had been found as one was missing today from Hampton Court Palace 💜👑💜 he had a BTO ring so will quickly be identified and it is very likely to be the missing Prince. I definitely felt he had a posh voice.

Today made me realise just how far I have come as a rescuer in the last 9 months and I never take for granted the privilege it is to be working with and helping these beautiful birds 💚🦢💚

9th & 10th November 2024 (Sally)

Busy couple of days that started with a cygnet who had landed in a residential road and was sat in the middle of it! When I arrived half an hour later no one had stayed to watch over her or attempt to move her to safety and she was nowhere to be seen. Scoured the area and have been no further reporting so can assume she had a rest and off she went on her adventures 🦢💚🦢

Today started with a male canada goose who was reported to have a broken leg. When I arrived he went straight back in to the water so a boat was needed to rescue but I could tell that there was a lot more going on than just a single leg issue as he found it hard to coordinate his wings and was swimming very lopsided.

In the boat I got with Sharon and her colleague who had stayed until I got there to take me out on the water. Net in hand and leaning over as far as I could I soon had him secured in the boat. He has damaged his back probably from crash landing, had incredibly cold legs with little circulation so is now safe at the The Swan Sanctuary receiving pain relief, a comfy bed, a good buffet and expert care 🧡🪿🧡

2nd & 3rd November 2024 (Danni)

4 lives saved this weekend, 2 swans were admitted to the sanctuary due to their injuries.

Both are expected to make a full recovery and be released with the sanctuary flock.

The 2 others were able to be released rather quicker, 1 having an overnight stay in one of our rescuers swan b&b and the other, after a stroll up the high street was carried back to her nearby river.

1st November 2024 (Danni)

Today took us to this beautiful girl who had been carrying a rather nasty hook with a significant length of line.

Disgarded fishing tackle entaglements take up more than 60% of our calls and can be extremley dangerous for all waterbirds and animals.

We have attended many calls where birds and mamals, including domestic pets have died due to being snagged on and drowned or having swallowed the hooks and tackle causing internatal damage.

However, this female Canada Goose was a lucky one, Safely rescued, hook and line removed she was quickly popped down to the Shepperton Swan Sanctuary for a precautionary once over.

After a check, a wound clean up, some antibiotic pain relief she was back on her way home to be with her mate and family.

26th October 2024 (Danni)   
Rescue of a beautiful Australian swan with a leg injury

Thankfully no breaks or entanglements.

After several days of observation and no water therapy improvements the decision was made to rescue this beautiful girl to the sanctuary..

I had been monitoring this swan for a while, since March as she had put up residence on a lake with a dominant pair, and it was pretty violent earlier in the year when nesting started.. but i was always unable to entice her over and the lake is huge...

After the pair were unsuccessful the violence calmed but no doubt it would return so opportunity knocked..

it is illegal to release Australian swans into the wild in the UK but so many people seem to have took ownership of them, via breeding or other non legal means.. 

Although they may survive, just, in the wild we are not aware of a successful mating pair.

Beautiful to look at, beautiful to listen too, but cruel to see them as pets.

21st October 2024 (Danni)

Once again we were called out to a swan that had been shot and killed what can only be described as an cowardly act of evilness

If you wintness an attack on wildlife please call 999

If you come across a dead animal that shows signs of wildlife crime please call 101.

You can always send us the crime reference number via our comments section