Nature lovers rescue baby swans swept over Sanquhar waterfall

A COUPLE from Findhorn were horrified to see six recently-hatched cygnets swept over the edge of a local waterfall.

Peter and Celia Hawe were visiting Sanquhar Pond and cooing over the fluffy, grey swans when they noticed them apparently being swept to their doom.

Peter said: "We went to see the new cygnets and there they were, six little beauties, so soft and such a lovely little vision of hope in these challenging times. Their mum and dad looked like they were parading them for the first time.

"Oh no I thought, the little ones were too close to the waterfall and being sucked towards it without the strength to resist the pull. Over one went, disaster. Then another ..."

Peter and Celia rushed closer, just in time to see the remaining siblings disappear over the edge.

"We were really concerned," said Celia. "So many of us get enjoyment from these beautiful creatures. All six were struggling in vain to climb back up the waterfall."

Thankfully a young family appeared and everyone agreed they could help by waiting for the tired-out chicks to be swept downstream where they could be intercepted.

"Mum and dad were swimming along the loch," said Peter, "oblivious to their young ‘uns being in a life death situation.

"At last the cygnets emerged, our helpful hero of the day (whose name I did not get) waded into the stream and rounded them up. With his wife and two kiddies, we carried them across the road back to the loch. Mother swan was very happy and rewarded us with a big hiss. All the cygnets busily cleaned themselves and appeared non the worse for wear. When they were back with their parents they looked like nothing had ever happened, cheerily pecking at their little downy feathers."

Celia and Peter visited Sanquhar around once-a-fortnight before the coronavirus lockdown but made a special trip to see the cygnets when they heard it was possible to do so.

Celia finished: "We feel very proud and happy to have been part of the team that did this. Full marks to our mystery family: dad for getting himself wet and doing his part of the round-up; mum for sorting out their two lovely children and dog, and for bringing over the last cygnet.

"We went down the next day to check up on the cygnets - all six were there. We love wildlife and the look on peoples faces when they see these really lovely little creatures."