Keep dogs on leads to protect swans - charity

Swans can be injured if they land in floodwater, a charity boss has warned

A charity has warned people to keep dogs on leads over concerns about displaced swans.

Wendy Hermon, operations director at Berkshire-based Swan Support, said flooded fields and roads were confusing swans and causing them to land where it was not safe.

She said displaced swans could be hit by cars, and were also more vulnerable to dog and fox attacks because they "do not have much time to get away".

She urged members of the public to "be vigilant", warning "there will be wild birds in places that there are not normally".

Flooded fields look like rivers to swans, the charity warned

Swan Support is a rehabilitation centre that rescues and cares for sick and injured swans in the Thames Valley.

There has been more swan displacement than usual in West Berkshire, particularly in the Newbury area recently due to rising water levels, according to the charity.

While most swans in fields "just want to graze", they can also be in danger, Ms Hermon said.

She said the charity was called to one last week that had landed in a "field that looked like a river" and had broken its wing - possibly when it hit a power cable.

The swan had to be put down because of its injuries, she said.

She said they were also seeing "a lot of dog attacks" because the swans stay away from fast-flowing rivers.

"It's quite sad," she said.

Most swans just want to graze in fields, Ms Hermon said

Ms Hermon also said nests were being destroyed, and she was worried the population could be affected "if it carries on the way it is".

She urged anyone who sees a displaced swan to call Swan Support, even if it does not appear to be injured.

"We will always check it out," she said.