Double swan rescue At Barcombe Mills

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) responded to a dramatic double swan rescue this week at Barcombe Mills, after two separate incidents unfolded within hours of each other.

Late on Monday afternoon (9th June), WRAS received reports of a swan with fishing line tangled around its neck. A team was dispatched that evening to assess the situation, but the wary swan remained out of reach from the riverbank. As the bird did not appear to be in immediate distress, rescuers withdrew and planned a more strategic water-based rescue for the following day.

On Tuesday, after an initial search proved unsuccessful, a second visit later in the day confirmed the swan had returned. Two veterinary ambulances and six experienced rescuers attended the scene, equipped with a kayak, inflatable boat, and dry suits.

Rescuers successfully guided the swan into a narrow tributary of the main river, limiting its escape options. Katie Nunn Nash and Abbie Marsden positioned themselves on a wooden footbridge, while Thea Taylor (in a kayak) and Julie Stafford (in an inflatable boat) blocked the waterway. Rescuers in dry suits, Ellie Langridge and WRAS founder Trevor Weeks MBE, encouraged the swan forward. As the bird attempted to escape past Trevor, he used a specialist swan hook to safely secure it. The swan was then passed up to rescuers on the bridge.

The fishing line was found to be tightly wrapped around the swan’s lower beak and tongue, which would have made feeding extremely difficult. Lead Casualty Manager Katie Nunn Nash was able to carefully remove the line on-site, but due to damage to the beak caused by the line, the swan was admitted to WRAS's Casualty Centre for further treatment and monitoring.

Just as the team were packing away their equipment, a second emergency unfolded when another swan unexpectedly crash-landed onto Barcombe Mills Road right in front of the team. Traffic was forced to come to an abrupt halt in both directions. WRAS rescuers immediately leapt into action and safely rounded up the bird, which was found to have cuts to its feet that were bleeding. This second swan was also brought into care for treatment.

“We rarely experience two unrelated swan emergencies in such quick succession, and both in the same location, we were very confused and for a moment with some rescuers thinking for a moment that the first swan had escaped. We didn't have time to don Hi-vis or gloves, ” said Trevor Weeks MBE. “Discarded fishing line continues to pose a serious risk to waterfowl, and we urge people to take greater care when fishing or walking near waterways. We have spoken with the Ouse Angling Preservation Society who have been very supportive and are asking their members to look out for anyone fishing illegally or using inappropriate tackle in the area."

Both swans are now in recovery and it is hoped they will be released back to the wild in the near future.

East Sussex WRAS is a charity celebrating it's 30th anniversary this year and relies on donations from the public to continue responding to wildlife emergencies across the county. Anyone wishing to support their work can donate via:

🔗 www.wildlifeambulance.org