The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Sacha the ‘human swan’ sets her sights on new Hebrides challenge
The “human swan” – who once had a fear of flying – may soon be seen soaring above the Western Isles.
Biologist Sacha Dench, head of media for the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust flew4,500 miles last year in a motorised paraglider from the Arctic to the UK following the migration route of the endangered Bewick swan.
Now she is planning her next epic paramotor flight in May, supported by a team on a tall ship. She said: “I have been to Harris and Skye and have always wanted to explore more of the islands, so when I was thinking about my next flight I thought it would be amazing to fly from tip to toe of the Hebrides.” For her swan flight, Ms Dench travelled at altitudes of around 300ft and crossed 11 countries.
At some points she had heated gloves, heated sachets in her boots and was wrapped in nine layers of clothing, but still felt cold.
Particularly remarkable is the fact she had developed a fear of turbulence after a frightening incident in South America when a small aircraft in which she was travelling got into difficulties in bad weather.
Determined to overcome her fear she learned to paraglide, then took to paramotors.
She said: “The reception we got on the journey was quite remarkable. The swans are such exciting birds so hopefully it will help make a difference.”