Swan Rescue - Hertfordshire

11/01/2025

Waterfowl and Ice.

Had a few calls recently about birds in the ice. Whilst it may appear distressing to us these birds are very well adapted to the extreme cold we are currently experiencing here in the U.K. They are able to break the ice and they have evolved very insulated feathers and a fatty skin layer as well as amazing circulation in their feet to keep themselves warm. Please keep feeding your local birds as right now they need us more than ever, they will be conserving as much energy as they can so an easy feed will help them immensely. Why not wrap up and pop out for a walk in this beautiful weather to feed your local waterfowl.

As ever the rescue teams are around if you have any concerns about any birds.

05/01/2025

130 mile round trip with this fella this afternoon from Bishop’s Stortford down to the Swan Sanctuary, lots of flooding on the rural roads to navigate through in our little car. Many thanks for Jon phoning the swan in and catching him up. He appeared to be weak and unable to bear weight on his legs. Upon examination he thankfully had no injuries or fishing tackle but was very underweight and weak. Thankfully with people like Jon watching over him we were able to collect him and get him for some well needed R&R! Many sadly don’t have this and end up with worse fates. Hopefully with some rest and food he will be back to full strength and back to the wild again in no time. He has plenty of friends to make at the sanctuary, as they’re pretty busy in the hospital.

At this time of year many of our waterfowl are struggling with the weather, they need plenty of food to keep them warm and get them through the cold winter months, and many juveniles like this one can struggle even more as many parents are kicking them off the nest so to speak. Make sure you feed your local waterfowl plenty of varied foods (see the sanctuary’s guide) over these winter months. Brown bread is fine as part of a varied diet and will help keep them going.

As ever, if you see any birds injured or in distress please contact the sanctuary for help. I’m back to work tomorrow so unavailable during the daytime again until the weekend. Thanks so much for everyone’s support as always!

03/01/2025

Happy New year!

Fancy a new challenge that makes a difference?

Why not consider being a volunteer rescuer? I’m always in need of an extra hand (particularly when I am at work and unable to attend birds during this time).

If you’re interested feel free to free to reach out for more information and advice or contact the swan sanctuary. You just need to have access to a car and live within the Hertfordshire area (west Herts around Berkhamstead area would be a plus, as an area further from myself but no problem if not). The swan sanctuary (and myself) are more than happy to provide training and help so no prior experience required. Just an open mind, ability to remain calm in stressful situations or in the face of injuries and most importantly not be afraid of big birds. Being available during more working hours is also helpful but not necessary. Waterfowl are amazing birds and need as much help as we can offer.

If not for you maybe think about volunteering for a local charity close to your heart. ❤️

27/12/2024

Cassiobury Park Swan - Being monitored.

Hi all. There has been a number of calls to myself, the sanctuary and the RSPCA over the past week about the female swan at Cassiobury Park in Watford. It appears about 10-14 days ago she may have had an altercation with a dog. Last week, after this report I went down to the park after work and caught her up out the river and checked her over fully. Although earlier in the day she was spotted with some blood on her she appeared to have no major wounds and was very bright and strong when I handled her, (quite put out I had interrupted her evening in fact). Since this time many have reported her being quiet and not moving from the far bank. It is highly likely she is bruised and worried from the incident with a dog and she is spending time healing and resting. The blood may have been from broken feathers or a minor injury but I could not find a wound upon inspection.

Please continue to feed her (ideally in the water) if she is interested. We have a few people keeping an eye on her regularly and she has been seen out in the river flow and by the edge taking food. It is likely she just wants some rest and should be back to herself after a few weeks of healing. Please do not try catching her up and continue to monitor her from afar. The team will step in should this be needed but it is far less stressful to allow her to heal in her natural environment. If she sustained major trauma we certainly would have taken her in for care. Also just a friendly reminder to keep your dogs on leads around waterfowl and other wildlife. Thank you all for your understanding. Feel free to share on local pages as needed.

25/12/2024

This chap decided he wanted to pop by from some free Christmas dinner today. Unfortunately this resulted in a crash landing in a backyard. The surprised residents phoned me after he tapped on their back door and they realised he’d dropped by unannounced.

Sadly this is not unusual this time of year as the juveniles are driven off territories by the adults and not being all that great at flying yet they often find themselves in a pickle in all sorts of places, back gardens being a common one. Without a run up they are then technically trapped without a way to get airborne again.

This chap got a check over and thankfully had no injuries and appeared in good health. So he received a free ride to the nearest local safe flock where he can find his feet (and wings) again. Merry Christmas!

24/12/2024

Seasons greetings to all our followers. Thanks for welcoming me to the rescue world but special thanks to Mark who did this job for Hertfordshire for many years and stood down this year! Really appreciate everything you’ve done over the years. The swans and waterfowl don’t care what day it is so if you need anything over the coming couple of weeks don’t hesitate to contact the team for any birds in need. Have a peaceful and safe restful time all and wishing you all a fruitful new year.

14/12/2024

Some more happy campers going home in time for Christmas. Thanks to Helen and Katie for lift

29/11/2024

Just a few customers from the last month. Sometimes I’m unavailable when people phone due to work or commitments. If I don’t answer, please phone the swan sanctuary on 01932 240790 who should be able to locate another local rescuer. I’ll always do what I can when not at work/busy, but often feel guilty I’m not always available. Unfortunately bills won’t pay for themselves, and these bills don’t help out either 😉. Thanks again for all of you keeping an eye on our local birds. 🦆🪿🦢

14/11/2024

Poor birds. Been hearing about this for weeks. Thankfully not avian influenza but botulism, a relatively common issue in water birds, particularly in stagnant waterways. Thanks to everyone who has been helping and reporting these birds, particularly Swan Support team. 😢

News and updates from the Animal and Plant Health Agency on science

20/10/2024

Been a busy few days here. On Friday we picked up quite a young cygnet which had been handed into a vets with a fractured wing, they were feeling very sorry for themselves on the journey into the swan sanctuary. Thankfully just the metacarpals broken (wrist joint) so the team at the sanctuary wrapped the wing and the little one should heal in time. They definitely perked up upon seeing some friends on the recovery ward! Later in the day we attended an adult male who was having troubles with his metal ring causing some abrasions to his leg. Usually these rings don’t cause trauma but if there has been an injury they can sometimes become an issue so this was removed. He was most unimpressed with being scooped from the water and examined but his wonderful caretaker who feeds him daily reports he’s all good but just holding a bit of a grudge for being tempted to the edge for me. Then yesterday we popped in for a welfare check on a lame swan at a local park. Both of the breeding pair appear to be lame and have 7 healthy cygnets with them. There was thankfully no signs of fishing tackle or fractures so we will monitor these two for now, their best treatment is being out on the water to take the weight off their legs.

Back to work again tomorrow which usually means I’m less available for helping the local birds out as easily. But we will see what the next week brings us.

Thank you to everyone keeping an eye on our local wildlife and keeping them healthy and happy! Without you, these birds would not get the care they may need in times of injury or illness.

16/10/2024

Sometimes rescues can be very tricky, particularly geese or mallards as they are often flighty. Well done to the team for finally getting hold of this little one. 😢

11/10/2024

Last night we were called out to this swan near Harpenden. He was being attacked by two breeding pairs of swans on either side of the river navigation and had something hanging from him. After wading through the river we managed an easy enough catch through nettles. He had a rubber ring around his neck, thankfully not causing any injuries. A bit beaten up but otherwise well so he was relocated to a nearby flock for restbite. A reminder to take your rubbish home and how much something so benign can easily cause distress and in severe cases death of our wildlife.

24/09/2024

Please take care of flooded lakes and rivers at this time. A lot water heading downstream from all our rainfall.

🚨WARNING🚨

Due to the severe weather we have recently experienced, Stanborough Park is currently flooded.

You MUST take care when visiting the area, but we would strongly suggest to stay away from the park and any flooded areas until these are safe and clear.

Our teams are working hard making sure the area stays as safe as possible.

⚠️REMEMBER: If you see anyone in danger or in need of help, call the emergency services immediately. Do not put yourself in danger trying to save someone else.

Use to give an exact location to the emergency services.

20/09/2024

How can you help?

Thanks so much for peoples support so far. I just wanted to pop a post up for how you can help swans and waterfowl in your local area.

- Keep feeding the birds (particularly in the cold temperatures and over the winter). During the summer many are out feeding our local birds but this diminishes a bit in winter, and is the one time we need to support the birds. Wheat is great, but you can also feed corn, floating pellets, chopped greens and small amounts of bread (not all bread if you can help it)

- Report any sick or injured birds. You can either contact me on here via messenger or call the swan sanctuary on 01932 240790. They will be able to direct the help to appropriate and available volunteers including myself.

- Consider buying something off our Amazon wish list. All work I do is voluntarily and in my own time and cost despite working full time. Any help is appreciated and items may change if I manage to purchase myself or things like duckling food during the spring baby season.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2RAXTP90G1OMF?ref_=list_d_wl_ys_list_2&filter=all&sort=default&viewType=list

- Consider making a monthly or one off donation to the Swan sanctuary. All money will go towards the care or medical care of rescued birds or those no longer able to be released into the wild.
https://www.theswansanctuary.org.uk/make-a-donation/

- Consider being a volunteer rescuer for the sanctuary. This involves being on call for all sick or injured waterfowl in the Hertfordshire area. Currently we have less people in the area so feel free to reach out to me or the sanctuary if you want to know more information.

Lastly - thank you all so much for caring about our local wildlife, even if you can’t do any of the above, thanks so much for stopping by to see what we are up to.

16/09/2024

Has anyone seen this duck (juvenile drake) recently at Stanborough lakes, Welwyn Garden city? I saw him over a week ago but I’m have not seen him since so been unable to capture to remove the hook and tackle. If anyone knows if he has been released or has seen him in the last few days let me know and I will pop down again. I witnessed him able to eat and drink but would like to release the poor duck.

12/09/2024

Hi all. I just wanted to say a quick hello to introduce myself as I have taken over some of the rescue work following sadly Mark leaving a few weeks ago.

I am Abi and I am a vet nurse and live in the central Herts area. I endeavor to help out as much as i can in the Hertfordshire area, but I do also work which does mean I have periods of not being able to attend a bird immediately. In many cases some rescues can wait but the Swan Sanctuary can advise further should rescue be be required more urgently.

As a vet nurse I can offer more medical care under the vets direction at the sanctuary and have provision to care for some birds for short periods of time myself. I also own my own ducks and I have over 10 year experience in avian medicine from my job. I hope I can assure you all the Herts waterfowl will be cared for well and if you are ever interested in also volunteering as a rescuer feel free to reach out. I will post further updates soon on how you can help me or the birds out in other means.

08/08/2024

I have one more week left on this job. Please remember that we are always looking for volunteers. If you do have time aside for driving around the county to check, assess and rescue waterfowl birds in need when calls come in directly or from the sanctuary, please contact The Swan Sanctuary. This may involve long drives depending on your areas of your choice and distance to the swan sanctuary.

20/07/2024

Announcement: Me Mark who is the admin for this page is stepping down as a volunteer Swan Rescuer effective on the 15th of August after 7 years of service. I will be discussing with the sanctuary going forward because I know this may raise concerns and question on who’s going to cover my area. If you know anyone who is interested in wildlife rescues who has their own vehicle, contact me via email or the swan sanctuary and I will be happy to train you before I go.

I am very sorry if this may cause an upset and concerns but due to life opportunities and demands, I have found that I do not have the time to do this anymore.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you all of you who have donated and cooperated in saving the beautiful swans on our lakes. Some lived on and some did not and it has been a great pleasure to a difference in the swan population and waterfowl birds.