Warning: article contains graphic images
Secret World Wildlife Rescue are very sorry to report that at least 5 swans have been killed on the new power lines in Mark that were recently installed. The power lines started to be replaced last year from Hinkley Point through to Loxton. Usually, National Grid will put bird flight diverters on the lines so birds can see them, but there is nothing on these new ones.
When the swans collide with the line, it is usually an instantaneous death because of the power surge. We have always gone out to a swan if it has collided with a power line and depending on how burnt they are, we are sometimes able to save them. However, this is the first time we have been out to multiple deaths with images that were quite shocking. We hope that Hinkley Point and National Grid will react quickly to this problem. It is so sad that swans that have already been affected by Avian flu and are now suffering due to unmarked power lines.
One swan found near the dead swans, was assessed at the site by an animal carer. Fortunately, it was uninjured but was probably just staying in the area as its mate was one of the dead ones. The bodies were moved into a nearby hedge, and the surviving swan was left in the field as it is an area where the juvenile and single swans stay together through the winter. However, with more power lines, we are concerned that it will not be a happy ending. With so many swans already lost through by Avian flu, this added danger to them is so sad.
We want the National Grid to realise the urgency over this because of the amount of swans in the area. Something needs to be done.
i really dont understand here, realistically there can be no power surge as the bird has no contact to ground, the lines arent close enough together for the swan to contact two lines which would result in a shock, i do believe its tragic and do sincerely believe the usual visible warnings should be installed but i dont belive that using more than the truth to persuade people is the best way forward,, please explain to me how the animals were electrocuted?
Hi David.
We don’t know the exact science behind it, but there have been many documented cases of this happening. Someone caught it on video a few years ago: https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/watch-hear-sparks-fly-swan-2165071
The lines do run between the pylons in sets of 2, so it’s possible they come into contact with 2 lines at a time and create a bridge between them. This is just what we’ve been able to find on Google so we’d be happy to have it explained to us!
Surely this should have been done when the lines were installed as a matter of course. It should have been part of the conditions of being given planning permission to put them up. We can all see the very many swans that live in the fields on the levels.
This article is factually incorrect. I’ve seen the bird diverters along the line myself. At the same time the public don’t want the lines to be too visible. Visible enough for birds but not for humans somehow? Want power for their wifi, phone, laptop, kettle, EV though. quite the conundrum.
As the previous commenter has stated it isn’t possible for the birds to be electrocuted from a collision. You said sometimes you are able to save burned birds depending on how burned they are but then you’ve replied to the comment to say you don’t have any of experience of it yourselves and had to do a search on good old Google.
Do you run your office on Solar power? Because if not you’re probably being delivered power from these very lines……..
The power lines in the area where the incident happened do not have bird flight diverters on them. We can’t speak for people’s preferences, but we would like to see diverters on all power lines to reduce the chance of more accidents happening.
As we said, we’re not experts! We don’t know the exact science behind it, but we do have evidence of birds being electrocuted as we’ve attended many incidents over the years. The link we shared has a video showing a swan colliding with power lines and the resulting electrocution.
We do have solar panels, but due to our high usage some of our power comes from the grid.
Swans have recently been killed by T Pylons over Portbury Wharf nature reserve. Please can you campaign to get bird diverters here as well.