Swan Lifeline

Swan Lifeline If you are worried about an injured swan or cygnet, please call us on 01753 859397. Our aim is to return them to the wild as soon as possible.

What We Do:
Swan Lifeline rescues and provides shelter and treatment for sick and injured swans. We educate the public about the incidence and effects of pollution and human activities on swans and other wildfowl on the UK's rivers and waterways. We aim to provide a professionally managed treatment centre to continue in perpetuity, not dependent upon any one person or group for its survival. Our C

entre:
Our centre on Cuckoo Weir Island includes a dedicated treatment centre and intensive care unit with nine heated pens. We can house up to 180 swans and on average, we are called to rescue over 700 swans and admit over 300 for treatment in any given year. We work within a 50-mile radius of our site and can advise a course of action for any enquiries outside of this radius. Our Services:
We work with RSPCA, Thames Valley Police, Metropolitan Police, Network Rail as well as other wildlife organisations whose inspectors will call us to help with swan rescues throughout the South East. Additionally, we have links with The Rangers who work in country parks and call on us for advice and help. Our on-site team are available seven days a week, providing rescues, phone advice, treatment and care to our admitted swans. Our staff members are supported by volunteers and a hands-on management team of Trustees.

We had a nice local rescue this morning for a swan that was stuck in a garden right by Eton College. As she was in good ...
29/08/2026

We had a nice local rescue this morning for a swan that was stuck in a garden right by Eton College. As she was in good health, we gave her a lift round to the flock in Windsor, where she swam off happily 🦢

Since our last post about avian botulism, we have remained busy rescuing and caring for many birds with the illness. Ple...
25/08/2026

Since our last post about avian botulism, we have remained busy rescuing and caring for many birds with the illness.
Please continue to keep an eye out for local wildlife and report even the smallest of concerns to your local wildlife rescue. The birds usually stand the most chance of survival if symptoms are spotted early (lethargy, reduced or no interest in eating, dropped/splayed wings, looking squashed or low in the water, gasping for breath).

If you would like to help us care for these animals, our Amazon Wishlist is in our bio and the comments below.

Thank you 🦢🦆🪿

At the beginning of the week we were called out to help this poor cygnet that had been beaten up by a pair of adult swan...
20/08/2026

At the beginning of the week we were called out to help this poor cygnet that had been beaten up by a pair of adult swans. It seems that multiple swan families, and a couple of individual adult swans, were in close proximity to each other and a territorial dispute broke out. Unfortunately, it left this little one in a bit of a sorry state, and two cygnets were sadly found deceased.

Just a few days on, and we are happy to share that he is feeling much better and is recovering nicely in one of our outside pens with other cygnets 🦢

Straw needed! 🦢🦆We are very busy on site caring for many sick, injured, and orphaned birds. Large numbers of animals can...
18/08/2026

Straw needed! 🦢🦆

We are very busy on site caring for many sick, injured, and orphaned birds. Large numbers of animals can put a strain on our resources, and we are currently in need of straw bales for bedding.

For anyone that is able to help, we have added straw bales to our Amazon Wishlist. Alternatively, if anyone has any that they would like to donate, please get in contact via [email protected] and we can arrange drop off or collection.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you!

August has been very busy for us so far. Here’s a quick roundup of just some of the rescues our team attended last week....
17/08/2026

August has been very busy for us so far. Here’s a quick roundup of just some of the rescues our team attended last week.

🦢 A crash landed swan on the side of a busy main road. He was luckily unharmed, so just needed a lift to the local flock

🦢 We went straight on to a cygnet that had found herself on the wrong river after falling down a weir. We were able to catch her and reunite with her family

🦆 One of many visits we’ve made to Cliveden Spa this summer for mother duck and ducklings in their outdoor pool. We safely retrieved this family and released them to a nearby river

🦢 An adult swan spotted struggling with with a suspected head injury, we brought him back to our site and he is responding well to treatment and a much needed rest

🦢 A family of swans were found on the move after their territory had almost completely dried up. Looking for somewhere to go, they managed to get themselves wedged in between two rows of barbed wire and a stock fence. All five were suffering from the heat and had deep wounds from the barbed wire. The decision was made to bring them back to Swan Lifeline, where they are all recovering well

🦢 A cygnet suffering from neurological issues was found unable to swim or hold his head up correctly. He is receiving treatment and seems to be improving everyday

🦢 An adult swan trapped in a garden after finding herself in the territory of an established pair. She was a bit beaten up, and due to a cracked beak she was brought back to our site, and is recovering well

Last week we rescued two tethered cygnets, from two different locations, in the space of 24 hours. Both cygnets was tang...
12/08/2026

Last week we rescued two tethered cygnets, from two different locations, in the space of 24 hours. Both cygnets was tangled in fishing line and tethered to the spot. They were unable to free themselves and without help they would have sustained serious injuries or drowned.

Luckily we got to both of them in time, and with no injuries, they were able to be released straight back to their parents and siblings 🦢

We’ve recently been very busy with long and challenging rescues, but today we were called to help with something a bit m...
04/08/2026

We’ve recently been very busy with long and challenging rescues, but today we were called to help with something a bit more straight forward.

This swan had found himself on a busy road next to Virginia Waters and was unable to get himself back to the water. We were able to safely move him from the road and drop him off on the main lake. Thank you very much to everyone that waited with him, and to Windsor Great Park staff for assisting 🦢

It's often the little things that make the biggest difference.When people think about donating, they often look at the l...
31/07/2026

It's often the little things that make the biggest difference.

When people think about donating, they often look at the larger items on our wishlist—but some of our most-used supplies are the smallest ones.

Feed, mealworms, cleaning supplies and other everyday essentials are used every single day and need replacing constantly.

If you'd like to help, our Amazon Wishlist is always kept up to date with what we need most.

Every item is appreciated more than you know.

🦢 Amazon Wishlist:

We are currently very busy dealing with many cases of avian botulism in swans and other waterfowl, including a swan fami...
26/07/2026

We are currently very busy dealing with many cases of avian botulism in swans and other waterfowl, including a swan family from Grafton Lock that we rescued yesterday. Two parents and three cygnets were rescued, but unfortunately only dad and one cygnet made the night. We have everything crossed that these two will make a full recovery.

Whilst some of the birds have gone to The Swan Sanctuary to receive initial treatment, others are being treated here at Swan Lifeline. With such a large volume of rescues and sick animals, we are constantly in need of new supplies. If anyone would like to help us through this busy period, our Amazon Wishlist is listed in our bio. We are currently in need of straw bales, washing powder, chick crumb, melolin pads and nutri-plus gel.

Thank you 🦢🦆🪿

22/07/2026

Enjoy a peaceful moment this morning with some of the cygnets in our care. 🦢🤍

Address

Cuckoo Weir Island, Meadow Lane, Eton
Windsor
SL46SS

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+441753859397

Website

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