Kids left in tears after swan was electrocuted on power cables
WILDLIFE lovers are calling for additional safety measures to be put on power lines at Backwell Lake – after witnessing a swan being electrocuted.
People using the lake on March 20 were left upset and in tears after a swan flew into the 33,000 volt power cables.
The incident happened at the rear of the lake by the small footbridge. People reported hearing a loud bang then seeing the bird fall to the floor.
It is understood three swans have been killed by flying into the power cables around the lake this year so far. In 2018 there were reports of at least five other swan dying in the same way.
Local wildlife lovers are now calling for Western Power Distribution (WPD) to put bird deflectors – also known as swan balls – on the lines to prevent further incidents.
Backwell resident Lorraine Hopkinson-Parker said: “It was absolutely horrendous.
“There were lots of people at the lake, including children, who saw this happen and many of the children were in tears.
“There was a bang that sounded like an explosion and the swan fell to the ground.
“It was an awful thing to happen and for people to witness.”
Work is regularly done to trees around power lines to ensure in storms the branches do not affect supplies and the Bristol Post understands greenery had recently been cut down.
“Without the background of the trees and greenery the swans cannot see the power lines,” added Lorraine.
“There have been three deaths so far this year and last year we believe five swans died as a result of hitting the power lines.
“It is not just the swans at the lake who are at risk, but other birds too.
“These are easily preventable deaths.
“Something needs to be done urgently to stop it from happening again.”
The dead swan was taken to a local bird expert to see if it could be traced via its leg ring.
A spokeswoman for Western Power said it was “saddened and surprised” to hear about the swan’s death.
The company tries to reduce birds coming into contact with power lines by using bird deflectors.
The spokeswoman said: “The diverters alert the birds to the presence of the power lines by rotating in the wind.
“They also contain glow-in-thedark natural crystals which absorb and emit purple ultraviolet light so they are visible at all times.”
The overhead power cable at Backwell Lake is 33,000 volts and supplies electricity to around 18,000 homes and businesses including Bristol Airport.
The spokeswoman said WPD has spoken with the International Centre for Birds of Prey to review existing measures and look for new ones to try and deter birds coming into contact with overhead power cables.
They added: “These discussions have resulted in a decision to appoint a specialist consultant who can investigate further and make recommendations to the industry about new/additional measures to improve the visibility of the overhead network to all birds.”