Sheltered Housing

Could you foster a pair or group of swans?

 

If you have a large pond or a small lake with an island and would be willing to supplement the swans diet with grain, pellets, etc. you may have a suitable home for a pair of swans.

 

A small island is needed so that they can sleep, rest and nest, in safety, from predators. We can supply details of how to make a wooden floating island.

 

We are always looking for suitable places where we can re-home swans which, after treatment, cannot be released back into the wild, such as wing amputees.

 

 

We only release swans once they have finished treatment and have re-gained their health. We try to home birds which are bonded pairs. Sometimes we just need a large lake on which to release a group of cygnets or even unpaired, one-winged birds, who need a safer environment.

 

 

We do not have the space to give sanctuary to swans that cannot be released to the wild, nor do we feel that it is right to keep them in 'captivity'. Swans that are either partially sighted or one winged as a result of accident or injury can be released to sheltered homes with permission from the Crown. We feel it is always better to have birds living in as close as possible to the natural state, rather than keeping them in confined pens at our treatment centre.

 

 

 

The birds and any cygnets of the union remain the property of the Crown, if necessary cygnets are removed on maturity as the area may not be suitable for a full family and as is usual the adults may wish to breed again and chase their offspring away.

 

Larger areas are required for numbers of immature swans who have been in care for some time and need to learn how to fly and cope in the wild. Where this is the case birds would just fly off when they are ready.

In return for offering swans a new home, you will gain a unique insight into their private lives. Many people who have homed birds for us have found it a delightful experience. If you would like to discuss the possibility of offering a home to a pair of re-habilitated swans, please call Wendy Hermon on 01753 859397