The Swan Sanctuary

12/06/2026

Moulting Season:

Swans undergo a full moult each summer, typically in July or August, to replace their worn flight feathers. In the weeks leading up to the moult, they undergo significant physical and behavioural changes. As they shed their primary and secondary flight feathers and grow new ones, they become completely flightless for around six weeks. During this vulnerable period, swans often spend more time on the water, avoid open spaces, and may appear unusually irritable or defensive as they conserve energy and protect themselves from potential threats.

Breeding pairs do not usually moult at the same time, as doing so would leave both the adults and their cygnets vulnerable to predators. Instead, the parents stagger their moults so that one adult remains capable of flight and can help protect the young.

During the moulting period, swans' wings may appear wispy or ragged, and large numbers of loose feathers can often be seen floating on the water or scattered
along the banks.🦢🦢🦢

11/06/2026

Cygnet rescued at Wey Meadows, Weybridge

We were called to help a cygnet with a fishing hook and lure caught in its neck at Wey Meadows, Weybridge. After the caller kindly went back out to obtain a precise location, we searched the area but unfortunately couldn’t find the family.

Once back at The Swan Sanctuary, we received another call from the Weybridge lock keeper to say the family had arrived at the lock. We headed straight there and, thankfully, the swan family was still present. We safely netted the cygnet and moved it to a secure spot so we could remove the tackle.

The tackle was quite nasty, with fishing line wrapped around the cygnet’s neck and lodged in its mouth. Fortunately, everything was removed safely, and after a thorough check-over the youngster was reunited with mum and dad.

With support from local residents, the lock keeper will be keeping a close eye on the family.🦢🦢

11/06/2026

Battersea Park Mum:

Many of you will be familiar with the Battersea Park mummy swan and may have noticed that she has an injury to her left leg.

This injury was caused by fishing tackle. The tackle has now been removed; however, unfortunately the damage caused is permanent and has resulted in a life-changing injury.

Despite this, she has adapted remarkably well and is currently coping successfully in the wild. As she is caring for cygnets, we are keen to allow her to remain in her home territory while she raises her family.

Our dedicated team is monitoring her closely and regularly assessing her welfare to ensure she continues to do well.

If you have any concerns about her condition or notice a change in her behaviour, please contact The Swan Sanctuary on 01932 240790 or report the issue via our website.

Thank you to everyone who cares about and looks out for this lovely swan and her family.

08/06/2026

The Swan Sanctuary is still in the thick of duckling season, with injured and abandoned ducklings arriving every day.

These gorgeous little ducklings will be with us for around 7–10 weeks before they are ready for release, which means a lot of care, time, and resources are needed to give them the best possible start.

If you would like to help us care for these vulnerable ducklings, there are several ways to support us. Donations are always greatly appreciated, and we also have an Amazon Wish List containing items that we use regularly and are always in need of.

Thank you for your continued support. We really do appreciate it, and every donation helps us give these ducklings the best possible care until they are ready for release. 🦆💛

05/06/2026

A huge thank you to the kind person who sent us these lovely items from our Amazon Wish List.
Every donation we receive goes a long way in helping us here at the Swan Sanctuary, and we are incredibly grateful for the support we receive. Your generosity makes a real difference, and we truly appreciate it. 🦢🩷🦢

Our Amazon wish list - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1XWPO24HGM832... 🐥🐦🦢

03/06/2026

🐦 Found a baby bird? Here's a quick guide on what to do.

At this time of year, we receive lots of calls from concerned people who have found baby birds. However, not every young bird needs rescuing.

Before picking up a baby bird, take a moment to observe it from a distance. Many fledglings leave the nest before they can fly well, and their parents are often nearby, continuing to feed and care for them.

If the bird is uninjured, alert, and in a safe location, the best thing you can do may be to leave it where it is and allow its parents to look after it.

🐦🐦‍⬛ Please check before you pick up a baby bird — its parents could still be caring for it.

01/06/2026

On the 19th of May, we said goodbye to Pete, our long-suffering handyman.

Pete was always there with just the right thing to fix whatever you had broken (the grumble that came with it was free of charge!). He was one of a kind and will be missed greatly by all who knew him.

Pete was Dad to Mel here at the sanctuary, so he truly was part of The Swan Sanctuary family. Many of our staff, volunteers and supporters knew him over the years, and he was never short of a story, an opinion, or a bit of humour.

He leaves behind many happy memories and will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

So when you next stop for a cuppa, raise one for Pete

Dedicated to the memory of Peter Beeson

01/06/2026

We received a call on Saturday about a young coot in Shepperton with a fishing lure protruding from its beak. The bird was still sitting on its nest opposite the Red Lion pub, so we launched a kayak in an attempt to rescue it.

After a short chase, we managed to catch the coot and discovered the full extent of its injuries. A three-pronged pike hook had become embedded in its cheek and tongue, with one point passing through the corner of its eye.

The bird was brought back to the Swan Sanctuary, where the delicate process of removing the hook began. Thankfully, after some careful work, the entire lure was successfully removed.

We’re delighted to report that the young coot is doing very well and is much happier without all the extra jewellery!😁🩷😁

28/05/2026

This guy took a wrong turn this morning and needed a little lift back to the river from the garden in Weybridge that he had found himself in. 🦢🦢🦢

28/05/2026

DISTRESSING CONTENT:
Coxes Lock in Addlestone is normally a tranquil spot to enjoy on a sunny afternoon and is well known for the wildlife living in and around the waterways.
Yesterday, however, was very different. A group of teenagers were seen using catapults to target a family of Canada Geese and the pigeons living under the bridge.

The group was first confronted by a local rescuer, who asked them to stop harming the birds, but was met with abuse. Police were called, but when officers arrived, some of the teenagers took off on their bikes, while those remaining denied any involvement.

The Swan Sanctuary was alerted and attended the area to search for the Canada Goose family that had been targeted. When we arrived, the teenagers were still at the lock but also denied any involvement when asked about the incident.

Despite a thorough search, we were initially unable to locate the geese. Later, after we had left, we received further reports that the teenagers had returned and were again using catapults on the pigeons under the bridge. They left shortly afterwards.

Once the area was clear, our rescuer returned and successfully found the Canada Goose family, guiding them safely back onto the mill pond. The male goose had a small round wound on the back of his neck which was bleeding, although thankfully he otherwise appeared to be okay.

The malicious use of catapults (or slingshots) to shoot, injure, or kill wildlife is a growing and serious wildlife crime across the UK. These attacks most commonly target waterfowl (swans, geese) in urban parks and birds like pigeons
This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable. We urge parents to speak to their children about the serious consequences of harming wildlife.

If you witness this sort of behaviour, please call the police immediately. If it is safe to do so, video footage or photographs can provide vital evidence and greatly assist in helping to identify those responsible and put a stop to this cruelty.

• If an attack is in progress, call 999 immediately.
• To report a previous incident, call 101 and provide details.Surrey Police