Horror at reserve as swan killed

STAFF at a Northumberland nature reserve say they are horrified after a swan was shot dead.

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Northumberland Wildlife Trust staff received several reports from members of the public after bank holiday Monday, May 26, that there was a dead swan below the Hartside Hide on its East Chevington reserve. The female mute swan had a wound to its head and is believed to have been shot.

As she was ringed, Andy Rickeard from the Northumbria Bird Ringing Group was able to record her death and check her history. The swan was ringed on February 27, 2011, and three other records show her residing on the River Wansbeck from 2011 to 2013.