Mystery as cygnets and geese disappear from Telford nature reserve

Volunteers who look after Dothill Local Nature Reserve in Wellington said they did not know if the swans had been attacked by predators or shot, after gas canisters used to power air guns were found in the area.

The Friends of Dothill Local Nature Reserve said they had started patrolling the area in a bid to make people aware and to try and protect the remaining birds.

Seven cygnets were born at the reserve at the end of May, but now only two are remaining.

Tim Preston, chairman of the friends, said that four of the birds went missing along with two Canada goose goslings and one was found decapitated at the pool on Tuesday.

In June one of the birds was found with head injuries that needed care at Cuan Wildlife Rescue, but was later returned to the pool by volunteers.

Mr Preston said that the birds have been dissappearing since the start of June but it was not known what had happened to them.

He said: "There are now only two left, this has never happened before and we are miffed as to what has been happening.

"We'd really like to make people aware.

"We don't know what's happened because all the evidence we have is circumstantial.

"We've found gas canisters from an air rifle so they could be being shot, but we have no other evidence other than the canisters.

"It could be predators, but it has never happened to this extent before."

Burt Morris of Colemere Drive, Wellington, walks his dogs around the pool every morning.

He said he and other dog walkers had now been asked to keep an eye out for suspicious activity around the pool.

Mr Morris said: "There are printed notices up there asking for information – I saw one this morning.

"There were a pair of swans and they had seven cygnets."

The police and the RSPB have been made aware of the incidents and teams of volunteers have been patrolling around the reserve in the evenings to speak to walkers to ask if anyone knows what has happened to the birds.

Anyone with information should call police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org