Swan Support

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Swan Support

If you see an injured swan or have any concerns about a swan please call 07968 868172 or 01628 876336
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We are a swan rehabilitation centre rescuing, treating and caring for sick and injured swans in the Thames Valley and surrounding areas. We are passionate in educating the public about the detrimental effect human behaviour can have on swans and other water birds. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are the only charity in the area to have over 50 years combined experience in rescuing & t

reating swans. We are also often called upon to advise and work with other organisations on the handling and treating of swans. If you have any concerns or see an injured swan please call 07968 868172 or 01628 376336 or email [email protected]

25/08/2026

When two tribes go to war…

A resident pair, well known to us, have been living peacefully on this stretch of the River Thames, raising this year’s four cygnets with little incident… until now!

Another pair, with five cygnets, have moved in right in the middle of their territory - and the drama has begun!

Unusually, both the resident pair are currently in their annual moult. Normally, the female moults first, around two weeks after the cygnets hatch, and once she is fully flighted, the male starts his. This means there is usually always one parent able to defend the territory.

But that hasn’t stopped them defending what’s theirs!

This video shows swan politics at its finest. The resident male, on the left of the screen, is slowly edging the new family upstream. But they’re not going willingly and are standing their ground.

They’ve been locked in this stand-off for four hours already. Eventually, boundaries will be established and they’ll separate — only for the whole saga to potentially begin again tomorrow!

For now, we’re monitoring the situation closely. Once the adults are fully flighted, there is potential for things to escalate further. Territorial battles can be fierce and, sadly, can sometimes result in serious injury or even death. It’s a fine line between allowing nature to take its course and stepping in when necessary to protect the welfare of the swans involved.

For now, we’re keeping wings and webs crossed that both families can find a way to co-exist until the newcomers are fully flighted and can head off back to wherever they came from.

Who needs the soaps when we have daily episodes of Swans of Anarchy to keep us entertained!

16/08/2026

An 8:15am Saturday morning call-out to reports of swans in the road and a collision with a group of cyclists.

On arrival, two kind members of the public - a boater and a passing cyclist - helped our rescuer piece together what had happened.

A family on the water, along with a rather sorry-looking male swan on the roadside, told us that a territorial battle had spilled out onto the road. They had seen three swans, so we assumed it was the resident pair and an unwelcome interloper!

We picked up the male, who, thankfully, appeared to have escaped with little more than his pride and some very dirty feathers. We then checked the resident pair, as one swan had reportedly been hit by cyclists.

Just as we were about to leave, the cyclist returned to tell us about another swan in a bush much further up the road. Unfortunately, she had been hit and was bloodied, with some scuffs and superficial injuries and a small head wound. She needed to come back to SS HQ for a clean-up and observation.

Our rescuer suspected the two injured swans were a pair - and when they were reunited, they displayed as though they hadn’t seen each other in years - it was quite a sight and definitely worth getting out of bed for on a Saturday morning 💙

Both spent some time recovering at Swan Support HQ before being released together into a nearby flock a few days later.

Here they are shortly after their release, safely recovered from their ordeal

13/08/2026

An appreciation post 💙

In addition to our rescue work, we also formally support a number of regattas, with our boats on the water helping to keep swans and geese safe and out of the way of the racing.

These are long days - often 12 hours - and in all weathers. They’re an important part of what we do, but they also take their toll on our boats and equipment.

So, we’d like to say a huge thank you to Barrus for their incredible support this year. Barrus generously supplied us with three new engines in time for Henley Royal Regatta and Swan Upping, and their donation has made a real difference - not only to our ability to carry out our work, but also to our funds.

We’re a small charity, and like so many charities, particularly those involved in wildlife rescue where grant funding can be extremely limited, every penny matters. The cost of maintaining our rescue boats and vehicles quickly adds up when they’re being used so extensively throughout the year.

Barrus, thank you again for your generosity and continued support. It genuinely means a huge amount to us, and we couldn’t do what we do without the support of organisations and individuals who help us make a difference 💙

04/08/2026

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller

Two recent rescues in Caversham perfectly illustrated just how true those words are.

The first involved a swan spotted with a badly bloodied neck. He wasn't interested in food and had retreated into the middle of the water, so we knew time was of the essence.
Thanks to the kindness and quick thinking of the wonderful Charley from Tingdene Marina, who immediately helped our rescuer with a boat, the swan was safely captured and rushed for urgent veterinary treatment. Sadly, despite everyone's best efforts, his injuries were too severe and he passed away. Losing a bird is always the hardest part of what we do, but we take comfort in knowing he received every chance possible because people came together to help.

Later that same week, we received reports of another swan from the Caversham flock who was unable to hold his head up. Once again, teamwork made all the difference. Our rescuer was supported by the fantastic Thames River Cruisers, who generously provided access and a boat to help us reach him quickly.
He is now back at SS HQ receiving the care he needs, and we're hopeful he will make a full recovery from what appears to be a concussion.

Every rescue starts with someone taking the time to make a phone call. We are incredibly grateful to every concerned member of the public who reports a swan or other water bird in need, and to the businesses, volunteers and local communities who step in to help us when every minute counts.

Together, we really can make a difference 💙

20/07/2026

A couple of recent rescues we'd like to shine a light on – both involving young cygnets, and both entirely preventable.

The first was a heartbreaking case of deliberate cruelty at Green Park in Reading. A young cygnet had been shot with a ball bearing that entered through his eye and travelled through his head before lodging near the top of his neck.

He was rushed straight for emergency veterinary treatment and underwent surgery. We are incredibly grateful that he survived, but it is devastating to think that an animal so young has already endured such unimaginable pain and trauma. Sadly, he has lost his eye. While we remain hopeful for his recovery, our hearts break for the suffering he needlessly endured.

The second rescue involved a cygnet with a treble hook embedded in its foot and several metres of fishing line trailing behind it. The kind member of the public who contacted us had witnessed the incident. Four young children, who were unsupervised, had been casting amongst a family of swans before accidentally hooking the cygnet. Believing they had “hooked a duck”, they celebrated, completely unaware of the fear, pain and potential consequences for the bird.

Had that hook remained, the cygnet could have become further entangled while preening, snagged on branches or vegetation, or even tangled with other members of its family. Any of these outcomes could have resulted in severe injury, drowning, or a slow and distressing death.

As the summer holidays fast approach, we are concerned that incidents like these may become more common. We love seeing children outdoors, exploring nature and making memories by our waterways. However, these recent rescues serve as a powerful reminder that wildlife need our respect and protection.

Every swan, duck, goose and cygnet we see on our rivers and lakes is a living, feeling animal capable of experiencing pain, fear and stress. A moment of thoughtlessness or lack of supervision can have life-changing consequences for them.

We kindly ask parents and carers to take the opportunity to teach children about the wildlife that shares these spaces with us. Help them understand that these animals are not targets, toys or obstacles to their fun, but treasured members of our local environment deserving of care and compassion.

People and wildlife can absolutely coexist and enjoy these beautiful spaces together. With a little education, empathy and respect, we can help ensure that young cygnets spend their summer growing, exploring and thriving with their families - not fighting for their lives in a veterinary hospital.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to report injured wildlife, intervene when something isn't right, and help us give these animals a second chance. Your support truly makes a difference. 💙

18/07/2026

This week we were proud to support the annual tradition of Swan Upping – a centuries-old event that today is focused just as much on education, conservation and the welfare of our swans as it is on tradition.

Over five days, we travelled 79 miles along the River Thames, from Sunbury to Abingdon, working alongside the Worshipful Companies of the Vintners and the Dyers. Swan families were carefully brought ashore so each bird could be health checked, while cygnets were measured, weighed and ringed. These rings are invaluable, allowing us to identify individual birds and, when we're called to displaced or injured swans, return them to their home territories whenever possible. Over the years, this has helped reunite separated cygnets, return adults after crash landings, and resolve birds displaced through territorial disputes.

One of the highlights of the week was meeting local school children to talk about Swan Upping, why swans are so important to our waterways, and the many challenges they face. It was a fantastic opportunity to encourage the next generation to respect wildlife and understand how everyday human activities can impact these beautiful birds.

As always, the welfare checks highlighted why this work matters. During flock observations, we spotted a swan entangled in tackle and were able to safely remove it before releasing the bird back to the flock. Among the birds brought ashore, we also treated an adult cob with fishing line wrapped around his leg and a cygnet with a fishing hook in its back.

While it is always encouraging to see healthy, thriving swan families along the Thames, it is also a reminder that many of the injuries we see are preventable. By disposing of fishing tackle responsibly, taking litter home, and giving wildlife the space and respect it deserves, we can all play a part in protecting these iconic birds.

Thank you to everyone involved in another successful week of Swan Upping. It remains a remarkable tradition that continues to make a real difference for swan conservation and welfare.

30/06/2026

Last night, while travelling with one of our rescue boats to Henley ahead of the regatta, our youngest rescuer, Harry, aged just 16, happened to be at Temple Lock - and thankfully he was.

Harry witnessed a paraglider strike a cable before crashing into the lock wall. Without a moment's hesitation, he jumped into action, putting his own safety at risk to stop the man from drowning.

He called for help from the lock keeper, who immediately came to assist. Together, they worked tirelessly to keep the paraglider above the water. The lock keeper used a bar through the engine cage for support while Harry secured a rope around the paraglider to help keep him afloat before climbing down the ladder to try and free the equipment that was dragging him under.

Harry and the lock keeper stayed with him for nearly 15 minutes until the emergency services arrived and were able to take over.
We are incredibly proud of Harry. His actions were completely selfless, but that's simply the kind of person he is. While we're usually in the business of saving feathered lives, last night Harry helped save a human one.

Well done, Harry. Your courage, compassion and quick thinking undoubtedly made an incredible difference, and your actions are something everyone at Swan Support are immensely proud of.

We'd also like to recognise the lock keeper and thank the emergency services, who responded quickly and professionally to bring the rescue to a safe conclusion.
We're pleased to hear the paraglider is now receiving the care he needs, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.

28/06/2026

Over the last couple of weeks, we've been especially busy across Caversham and the surrounding areas. We'd like to share just some of the rescues we've attended and say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who continues to look out for our local wildlife.
We've responded to a number of duck and duckling rescues, including a couple that required the fantastic assistance of Reading Royal Berkshire Fire And Rescue Ducks are well known for choosing some very unusual nesting sites, including top-floor balconies, leaving their ducklings with no safe way of following mum to the water. We're always happy to lend a helping hand and are incredibly grateful to Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service whenever their assistance is needed.
One swan found himself in a rather sticky situation down at the Promenade. Quicker than a hydration break in a World Cup match, we were on scene and had him safely back on the water with his flock.
Sadly, someone had left a large amount of corn on the bank. While it's wonderful that people want to feed the swans, they don't need large quantities of supplementary food during the summer. If you do choose to feed them, please place the food in the water rather than on the bank. This helps keep the birds safe and reduces the risk of them wandering into danger from dogs, cyclists and traffic.
If you're visiting the Promenade, we'd also be grateful if you could make sure the gate at the slipway is closed after you pass through. Keeping it shut helps prevent the swans from wandering into potentially dangerous situations.
We were also called to a male swan that had become entangled in fishing line near the weir. After the rescue, the gentleman who reported it kindly sent us this message:
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your support and rapid response today regarding the male swan that became entangled in fishing line near the nesting area... Thank you again for everything you did today, and for the valuable work you continue to do in protecting swans."
Messages like these mean so much to our volunteers and remind us why we do what we do.
Another call-out involved a swan that had crash-landed on Caversham Bridge. This is actually a fairly common occurrence and something we're regularly called to. A huge thank you to the gentleman who stopped, kept an eye on the swan and contacted us so we could help.
We've also been rescuing ducklings and goslings, including one adventurous youngster that somehow became stranded on the weir.
Our local volunteer has been covering Caversham and the surrounding area for over 22 years, building an incredible network of supporters who never hesitate to call when a bird needs help.
To everyone who keeps an eye out, makes that phone call, offers assistance or simply supports our work, thank you. Your continued vigilance, kindness and support make a real difference, and together we're helping to keep Caversham's swans and other waterfowl safe.

25/06/2026

Last weekend was one of those weekends in rescue that leaves you questioning whether anything will ever change.

Our first call was to an adult swan in Windsor who had been deliberately targeted with a catapult. A ball bearing lodged beneath his eye required surgery to remove. We are hopeful he will make a full recovery, but it is difficult to understand why anyone would choose to inflict such suffering on a wild animal.

Later, an off-lead dog attacked a swan family in a nature reserve, killing a cygnet. The female swan was understandably distressed as she tried to protect her young. After recovering the cygnet and thoroughly assessing the family, we made the decision to leave her with her remaining cygnets and monitor the situation closely. Thanks to the vigilance of many members of the public who check on them daily, we are pleased to report that she is doing much better.

The weekend ended with the tragic incident at Reading Amateur Regatta, where two cygnets lost their lives. We have already shared a statement regarding the incident and have since met with the race organisers to better understand what happened. Encouragingly, several other regatta organisers have also reached out to seek advice and support on how wildlife can be better considered during their events. While it is positive to see these conversations taking place, it is unfortunate that it often takes a tragedy before meaningful change begins.

It is heartbreaking reflecting on what all three incidents have in common - they were not simply "nature taking its course". The vast majority of cases we attend are linked directly to human action - whether deliberate cruelty, uncontrolled dogs, litter, fishing tackle, habitat disturbance or avoidable accidents - these are not natural threats. They are pressures that wildlife should never have to face.

At least two, and potentially all three, of these incidents could be considered wildlife crimes under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Yet wildlife crime is too often overlooked despite the very real suffering it causes. If even a handful of cases were successfully prosecuted, it could send a clear message that harming wildlife has consequences and is not something society is prepared to accept.

Swans, and all wildlife, have just as much right to exist in our shared spaces as we do. Most people care deeply and want to do the right thing, but there is still more we can all do to be mindful of the impact our actions can have.

Change is possible. We see it every day when people choose kindness, responsibility and compassion. The question is whether, as a society, we are willing to make those choices consistently - before another animal pays the price.

23/06/2026

On Sunday we supported the first day of the Thames Valley Park Regatta.

Our team was on the river from 6:30am, clearing the course and ensuring that swans, geese and other water birds were moved safely away from the racing area. We then remained on the water in two dedicated boats for 12 hours, monitoring the course and intervening whenever birds made their way back into the racing zone.

We were pleased to receive a call from the race organisers, who expressed their gratitude for our efforts and were highly complimentary of the work carried out throughout the day. They told us it had been one of the best regattas in years, which was wonderful feedback for our volunteers involved.

Our experience reinforces our belief that having dedicated wildlife protection boats on the water significantly reduces the risk of collisions involving swans and other water birds. Sadly, the recent loss of two cygnets at Reading Regatta serves as a reminder of the risks that can arise when birds and racing crews share the same stretch of water. Unfortunately while no system can completely eliminate risk, dedicated patrol boats provide the best opportunity for prevention, monitoring and early intervention. Moving forward, if we are asked to support a regatta, our involvement will be conditional on having dedicated boats on the water specifically tasked with protecting swans and other wildlife throughout the event. We believe this should be the minimum standard considered by all race organisers when planning wildlife welfare provisions, and we are currently developing guidance on the types of measures that can be put in place to help achieve this.

Finally, thank you to the many supporters who contacted us after seeing comments questioning our involvement. As is often the case, not all of our work is visible to spectators on the bank. The fact that our team may not always be seen does not mean we are not working tirelessly behind the scenes and on the water. Our focus remains exactly where it has always been: protecting the welfare and safety of swans and other water birds. Whether seen or unseen, that commitment never changes.

Address

Bray Lakes, Monkey Island Lane
Bray
SL62EB

Telephone

+447968868172

Website

http://www.swansupport.org.uk/

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