Mute Swan rescue at Barton on Sea

This series of photos shows a weakened juvenile Mute Swan being rescued from the waves on the beach at Barton on Sea by a lady RSPCA officer and a helper. It was yesterday, Monday 12th - the day of the storm. It was sunny and dry, but the surprisingly warm wind from the SW was quite strong and gusty.

The RSPCA lady said it seemed OK, but she would take it back to base to get it checked out and feed it before releasing it with others of its kind in a more friendly environment. There are large numbers of Mute Swans to the east at Keyhaven, and even more to the west at Christchurch Priory Quay. As they often fly backwards and forwards along the coastline, I imagine this one had got lost from its group and was only suffering from exhaustion.

A nice happy ending Catherine, like the photo series.:)

Nice story line. Good pics.

Thanks, gentlemen! We were quite intrigued watching it all happening. The RSPCA lady was really smiley and kind - obviously loved her job!

(Re. the pics, sorry the last one is so out of focus. I'd accidentally moved the guide wheel at the top of my camera to some rather weird setting so was disappointed by that one. At least it was the last shot!)

What a wonderful story - who needs the telly when you have things like this to watch :)

As for 'moving the setting' - I can't tell you how many times I've done that by accident!!!!