Rescuers called to chased cygnets

People are being advised to give less food to swans

Animal rescuers have been called out almost 50 times over the past two months to young swans being chased by their parents from ponds on to roads.

Swans in the Eastbourne and Bexhill areas are being chased away as their parents prepare for new young.

Trevor Weeks, from East Sussex wildlife rescue service, said the swans were "an accident waiting to happen".

"We are trying to deal with these situations quickly but we can't always get there quickly enough," he said.

"The young swans are capable of looking after themselves now but frequently don't want to leave because of the food source provided by humans."

Power lines

In the latest incident on Thursday, rescuers received several calls to young swans being chased along Peelings Lane in Westham and on to the High Street.

Rescuer Val Hume said: "This morning several locals had to herd the swans back from the High Street to the pond three times in 20 minutes. Apparently a white van had to brake hard to avoid one of the swans (which was) walking out on to the busy main road."

During lunchtime the service was contacted again after a swan had crashed on to Lottbridge Drove in Eastbourne and attempted to cross the dual carriageway near the Tesco store.

Over the last few days four swans have crashed and died after hitting power lines near Lottbridge Drove.

'Bacterial problems'

Mr Weeks said the swans had been having problems with flying in the strong winds.

"People think swans crash on roads because they think they are rivers but normally they crash because they are either inexperienced or due to turbulence. Lottbridge Drove area of Eastbourne is a classic example of this."

Wildlife rescuers are advising motorists to be careful when driving in the area.

People who feed swans at parks are being advised to take one slice of bread or a handful of corn.

"Frequently people feed whole loaves of bread which is not necessary. Food not eaten can cause parasitic and bacterial problems in the water," Mr Weeks said.