Swan Rescue - Hertfordshire

23/06/2025

Hi all! Sadly to many commitments (including full time work) I can sometimes find it difficult to fit rescuing in around life. I understand this is incredibly fustrating when trying to find help for wildlife and it’s sad when I hear about finders having trouble in locating help. Please use the helpwildlife.co.uk link for other rescuers in your area. I thought it would be great to give some advice on what to do should you find yourself with injured/displaced waterfowl until help arrives either from myself or another rescuer. Some birds can wait for rescue so these are things I could pop out to later in a day (such as a displaced juvenile swan in a garden or an orphaned duckling) after my shift. If you have a car please consider driving smaller birds you have captured to wildlife hospitals and rescues this helps immensely at times.

Please read carefully for further advice.

Swans 🦢

Swans are large powerful birds so we would not advise handling this species without appropriate training unless in absolute imminent danger.

Displaced or on the road:
It is not uncommon during autumn and winter for juveniles to find themselves displaced into gardens and odd locations. If you find a swan in your garden don’t panic. They will not be able to fly away due to needing a large run up but should be safe. Please keep dogs inside the house. Please contact a rescuer. It is not an emergency and if waiting a while then offer the bird some food and water if you wish. They will be safe in the garden until help arrives. If the swan is in an open area try to keep it safe from roads and railways until help arrives. If the swan is on a busy live roadway such as motorway contact the police immediately for assistance to make the road safe for vehicles and the swan. Do not put yourself in danger on a busy road, await help from the police.

Injured or fishing tackled
Swans can get themselves into sorts of trouble. If the bird appears injured in anyway, contact a rescuer and if possible stay with the bird. Due to the nature of living on waterways they also come into contact with fishing gear and sadly commonly become entrapped and suck by hooks and weights. Please do not attempt to remove hooks and lines. They can commonly swallow lines which need careful removal. Where possibly stay with the bird or give an exact location.

Cygnets
Babies can sometimes get lost or get trapped down weirs and locks. If trapped contact a local rescuer giving the location. If completely apart from parents on land and still small please pick up and place into a secure box. Contact a rescuer who may be able to locate the parents and reunite.

Geese
Please treat geese as you would above with swans. Please be aware that they can evade capture quite well too so rescue teams often have a job catching some. It’s also worth noting that some have a condition called angle wing which results in permanent twisting of the last joint of the wing, these geese cannot be fixed unless they are goslings still.

Ducks 🦆

Ducks are very flighty species but nature and are incredibly difficult to catch without some experience and in many cases equipment. There are various occasions where rescue teams cannot catch successfully which is very frustrating.

If you find an injured or sick duck which does not move away much when you approach it please place them into a secure box and call a rescuer for collection. Do not offer food or water. Keep them quiet and warm. Do not attempt to catch if mobile, just let a rescuer know of the location.

Ducklings 🐥
If you come across one or more ducklings which are not with their mum and alone please collect them up and place them into a secure box. Please note that many will jump very easily from open topped boxes and escape through grating on normal cat carrier. Do not offer food and water or place them in the bath for swimming. Keep them warm and quiet until a rescuer can collect them in time. If you come across a whole brood of babies (8-12 usually) then collect them up to keep safe and watch to see if mum returns within 2-4 hours. If not then contact a rescuer for collection.

If you have a mum and ducklings in an enclosed garden or space please call a rescuer for relocation to a safe waterway. Do to attempt to catch them yourselves, mothers are very flighty and if take off can often not return leaving orphaned ducklings. These situations need to be handled calmly as possible.

Gulls 🪶

I am not set up well for gull care so if possible please take an injured seagull to a nearby vet or better still to a wildlife hospital as this it what I would likely be doing. For gull chicks please watch carefully to see if parents are feeding them. They will often only visit 4-6 times a day for feeding. If possible please place a gull chick onto a high rooftop for the parents to continue to feed.

Thanks for your understanding.

22/06/2025

Interesting reading for anyone who is a bird geek like me. Breeding birds of Herts report.

A new report, "The Breeding Birds of Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits 1967 to 2023" is now available - click on the link to download.

Since the first breeding-bird survey of Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits (GPs) in the late 1960’s around one hundred bird species have bred on-site. The development of the gravel pits in the late 1970’s and their evolution over the next 45 years has seen breeding species come and go as the habitat has changed.

https://www.hnhs.org/sites/default/files/downloads/reports/The%20Breeding%20Birds%20of%20Tyttenhanger%20Gravel%20Pits%20-%201967-2023..pdf

Congratulations to Ricky Flesher & Pete Christian on an excellent report.

20/06/2025

I’ve had a few calls and messages recently about geese with angel wing. It is most commonly seen in Canada geese. Have a read of the link below for more information.

If caught early in all species this condition can be reversed with wing wrapping. Unfortunately adult will live with this condition and remain flightless for life. Sometimes when the bird is moult (which is around this time and into autumn for most waterfowl now) the new feathers growing in can be damaged and bleed. If you’re ever worried about a bird don’t hesitate to get in contact and take photos if you can. I’ll attach a few more photos of angel wing examples in the comments.

Angel wing..🪽

Pal-mates … weekend web tip

When a bird gets angel wing, the “wrist joint” of their wing gets deformed and grows excessively. In more severe cases, the bird affected may lose its ability to fly. When it can’t fly, it can’t escape from danger, which is what makes angel wing a deadly condition.

Angel wing only occurs early in life, and the causes are not clearly understood. It is believed to occur when the bird achieves a rapid growth rate, improper nutrition, high protein or high energy diets, insufficient exercise, large flock size, and/or rearing under stress or all of the above! Genetics and environmental pollutants may also play a role.

In kept waterfowl, you may find it helps to wrap the problem wing so that the weight of the growing primary feathers doesn’t continue to add stress to the growing bone. The wrapped wing is folded in place and the feathers continue to develop. Or adjust the % of protein in their feed to 15% or lower whilst the heavy blood feathers grow in.

The growing outer portion of the wing should be gently held folded in the natural position. Use a strip of micropore tape to hold it there, following the natural curvature of the wing. Leave a small tab of extra tape-to-tape in the armpit region to allow for growth.

Take care not to damage the quills where they emerge from the skin. Remove the tape after 2 days and re-tape for another 2, reassess and repeat if necessary. There may be a little damage to individual feathers, but after the next moult this will be gone.

14/06/2025

And they’re off!

The first batch of orphaned ducklings have made their first steps (or more like flaps 😂) to freedom today. It’s always an absolute privilege to be able to return wildlife back to where they belong, in the wild and free. Good luck little friends, have an absolutely fabulous wild life and stay safe! 🥹

07/06/2025

A huge huge thank you to the very generous donation from our Amazon wish list. This came from a couple who called me last weekend when they spotted a poor goose at the side of the A414 near St Albans. He had obviously been involved in a collision and was very close to being hit again. Thankfully with some very quick thinking they got him off the edge of the live traffic and into a lay-by. I was thankfully free when they called and arrived within 15 mins to catch the poor little chap. Thankfully only cuts and grazes but a possible head trauma with a lot of bleeding into his mouth. He was unable to stand at all when I got him home but just yesterday he’s now started to walk. So hopefully on the mend. 🤞 he is continuing his recovery with a friend.

The finders wanted to thank me for my care so have very kindly bought (more than I realised) some donations. The big ducklings are flying through their grower pellets so will be very pleased with the food (one more week and the first batch are off to freedom!). We’re also using a lot of puppy pads with the ducklings. 🐥 Anyone who has cared for them knows they are one of the messiest things to look after. 💩 And the floating pellets are used often out on rescues particularly with the swans. 🦢

Thank you so so much!!

02/06/2025

Successful mum and duckling relocation. Bear with me. A bit of a story.

At the weekend I got a call from wildlife rescuer and now friend Jo who told me that a lovely couple had had a mallard nest in their garden again. She is a known offender at this address and asked if I could attend. At the time I was catching up a poor goose that had been hit on the A414 duel carriageway near St Albans but mum and babies were safe until later.

Later that day I attended a lovely well kept garden of Alistair and Paula. Mumma duck had once again nested in a very well made place (a yuca plant). Deep inside the bush she had laid her eggs and incubated them and they had all hatched and were ready to head to the water. She had proudly paraded them across the lawn earlier in the day. Sadly with the river a good minute or two across a road and down a field and it wasn’t feasible to walk her there safely. So catching her and the ducklings was what was needed.

These types of rescues are fraught with stress for all involved. Mallards are notoriously difficult to catch and should a mum take off there’s high chance she will not return, ultimately leaving the babies to end up in wildlife rehabilitation. Whilst this is fine, we really always want to keep mum and babies together.

Well, mum was having none of it! Upon appearing out the yuca she took off immediately without me having any chance of catching her. So now was to coax out the 8 little ones from the yuca. 3 were obliging initially followed by 4 and 5 in a net. 6 decided to make a break the wrong way and found himself down the side of the compost heap which I obliged in climbing through to catch the little cobweb covered fluff ball. 7 and 8 proved more tricky. 7 made a break through a tiny gap in the fence, and after a chase he decided to park himself in a cavity wall in the neighbour Alison’s extension and not budge. So it was then a waiting game. Whilst we tried to fish this one out Alistair and Paula cheered with joy that they had caught number 8. So it was just this tricky customer. But after a stake out and luring him with his siblings he finally made an appearance and tried to dash across the garden, we guided him (I would say skill fully but more out of luck) into the net and finally in with his siblings.

To my relief but also sadness of her cries mum had stayed very close by during this entire capture. At points she had stood in the roof quacking and this may well have helped luring the little ones out. So I tried my luck at coaxing her to the river. It didn’t take long for her to catch on. She followed me about 200 yards slowly and carefully across the road and down the field. She finally landed in the perfect spot on the river so I took my chance and let the babies see her and make a break for it.

Success! All 8 reunited! And a massive sign of relief! It took us over 2 hours, felt like I had run a marathon from the stress but it was the best feeling watching them all swim off together! Good luck little family. I’m sure I will be back again next year to help you. 🙄. Thank you so very much to Alistair, Paula, Alison and daughter and my partner in crime Sam and Jo for her ever useful advice. It was definitely a team effort from all and everyone was very patient and understanding! It makes a huge difference. And to add with the happy news, the goose is showing improvements in their condition. 🤞

31/05/2025

A mallard full May!

May has been a busy one here. Although I’ve not managed to pick up all the calls during the month due to work we have certainly still been very busy. We’ve currently got a house full with 19 ducklings residing with us and making their way through graduating through duckling school. Some are more rowdy than others and the house is never silent now (nor p**p free! 💩). We’ve also had various other customers having short or longer term R&R and nursing care. We’ve attended 14 call outs, many many advice calls and popped by some of the local birds we keep an eye on. It certainly is a busy time of year here. Just this morning we were collecting a poor goose at the side of a busy duel carriageway. Not all cases have been happy and we have witnessed a few losses too.

Many thanks to all those who called these animals in. Who stayed with them and genuinely really care, couldn’t do this without you. And a special shout out to Jo at Raptor rescue who has attended a few calls for me and kept a few ducklings safe prior to my collection. Please enjoy a few photos of those we have helped this month.

All my work is voluntary. I’m currently flying through the duckling food. If anyone wishes to help out my Amazon wishlist is here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2RAXTP90G1OMF?ref=cm_sw_sm_r_un_un_IPwbfHqploer3

24/05/2025

Captain Hook back into the wild.

Not all rescues are positive but this one is. We’ve had this beautiful gentleman with us this week. On Monday we were collecting an orphaned duckling in north London when a call came in from the sanctuary about a tackled mallard on Hampstead heath. We don’t usually venture so far into London for rescues but we were only 10mins around the corner so with our little tiddler in tow we headed to the heath. Amazingly a swimmer on the pond had managed to catch him (anyone in waterfowl rescue knows mallards are a nightmare to catch!). I was incredibly relieved to find a lifeguard with him in his hands when I got there.

Sadly, after a quick examination I found the hook was imbedded deep in the tissues of his inner wing, a really nasty spot with lots of nerves and big blood vessels close by, not somewhere I wanted to go digging about without extra care. So we headed back into more central London to my work. The perks of being a veterinary nurse means I can call upon my colleagues to help. We gave the chap a brief anaesthesia, took an X-ray to ensure no broken bones (thankfully none!) and one of my wonderful vets Colin, got the hook out, started him on pain relief and antibiotics. And finally I applied a light dressing and a wing wrap (not my finest bandage I must say).

For the last 5 days he’s been resting up with me. But he has not been very thankful for the hospitality to say the least. He’s a sassy man, growling and huffing at me even entering the room before I even got to picking him out for his twice daily medicating.

And so today we released him at a nearby lake so we can keep an eye on him. His wing does have a slight droop to it still but he may well have some nerve and tendon damage given the area but this may heal with time. He needs to be out and with his own kind and he’s certainly strong and sassy enough to go. He was incredibly pleased to be free again. Take care captain, hopefully no more hooks for you my friend. 🥰

I run all rescues alongside my full time job and busy life. Everything is on a voluntary basis and I am not paid. If you fancy helping out in any way feel free to pop by my Amazon wish list. https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2RAXTP90G1OMF?ref=cm_sw_sm_r_un_un_IPwbfHqploer3 I am also planning on doing a gofundme page for some equipment soon.

22/05/2025

It’s proper busy spring/summer season here now. Not a day goes by that the phone doesn’t ring for something in need. Unfortunately I’m not always free all the time as I work but I do what I can. In the last three months we’ve had various temporary visitors and overnight stayers here for a free bed and board, they never leave a tip. This has included 3 adult mallards, 15 ducklings and a gull. We could really do with one or two extra soft crates to help us keep up with looking after short term visitors (long term will always head to the sanctuary for more care!). If anyone has any spare pennies we would love a couple off our Amazon’s wishlist (the first listing of the fabric pet carrier). Thank you to anyone who ever helps me out in any way. I appreciate all of you!

View my list on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2RAXTP90G1OMF?ref=cm_sw_sm_r_un_un_IPwbfHqploer3

Here’s more duckling photos for tax of course, because we’ve got these little beepers with us currently and who can’t resist a duckling.

16/05/2025

Morning all!

I won’t be available for the next three days for rescues I’m afraid. Any concerns please contact the swan sanctuary for further support or check out https://www.helpwildlife.co.uk for further contacts. For now please admire our first batch of ducklings enjoying outside permanently now prior to release in just a few weeks. Look at those feathers coming in! 🥰.

11/05/2025

Just something to note. We’ve had a few calls in the past about this.

We have received a few calls this weekend from members of the public concerned that a swan has injured their leg.

As temperatures rise, the swans or cygnets will rest one leg positioned out on their back.

This is a normal behaviour to help them regulate their body temperature (to either lose or absorb heat from the sun) but also to help conserve energy….we like to think they are just (literally) putting their feet up and chilling!

Swans may hold this posture for extended periods and may continue doing so even when interacting with other swans.

While this is usually nothing to worry about, we appreciate every call and if you’re concerned about a swan’s health or behaviour, please contact us. We’d rather check and ensure the bird is well than risk leaving an issue untreated.

Thank You 💙

10/05/2025

The sad reality of wildlife rehabilitation is not everything makes it. Sadly the little duckling with head trauma didn’t this week so has left his little friend behind. We are hoping another duckling call comes in soon as they need their own kind.

On a positive front our first batch are ready to move outside into a secure, predator proofed enclosure for the next part of their journey. This week they will move out and start enjoying more fresh air and sunshine ready for release in a few weeks time. 🥰