A family of swans has been rescued from a drained lake in Warminster after residents, volunteers and the town’s Mayor came together to save them from a life-threatening situation.
Volunteers from Bath Swan Rescue were alerted to the situation when residents noticed that one of the cygnets from a family of swans at the Portway lake was missing. A pair of swans nest at the lake every year, and local people have taken it upon themselves to regularly monitor their wellbeing.
The swan family were found in a drained balancing lake, which volunteers were told could not be refilled as it is used for flood water overflow. It was decided the family would need to be caught and relocated.
One cygnet had already died before the rescue operation began, but volunteers worked with residents and Mayor of Warminster Jack Jones for three hours to save the remaining four members of the family.
Cllr Jones climbed into the drained lake basin to help catch the swans, successfully rescuing two cygnets and one adult swan.
“Obviously, it wasn’t completely dry, so it was all boggy,” said Cllr Jones. “It took about three hours of back and forth trying to catch them all, but they’re all in great spirits now and are all being well looked after.”
The male swan has since been named Jack in recognition of the Mayor’s support during the rescue.
Bath Swan Rescue praised the teamwork involved, describing the operation as “the epitome of teamwork” and thanking local people for their help.
Residents provided ladders, refreshments and buckets of warm water to help volunteers clean up after the rescue.
The charity said, “The care the community have for this family is quite something. It is thanks to their dedication and perseverance that this family are alive.”
The swans have now been safely moved to another lake while they recover before being rehomed.
