A WILD bird rescue group led by volunteers is urging the public to have greater awareness over the safety of wildlife after a young cygnet died after being shot with a ball bearing.

Reports came in last week of a cygnet – only just getting its white feathers, meaning it was only a few months old – was shot in the neck at The Clegg, in Thatto Heath.

WWR Wing Wildlife and Bird Rescue came to its aid but its injury was so severe that it died.

This is one of several cases against swans and cygnets in the past few months in St Helens, including a bird being killed by a dog in Blackbrook and fisherman lines seriously injuring other birds.

Janine Ward from WWR Wing Wildlife – a voluntary service led by people with disabilities which comes to the aid of birds in need across St Helens, Liverpool, Runcorn, Widnes, Warrington and Nantwich - said: “We are getting lots of calls about injured birds and we want people to make themselves aware of wildlife and things that could injure them.

“Even if that’s walking with dogs off leads, the owner of the dog that attacked a swan said it was out of its character, if in doubt please keep dogs on a lead.

“We are also getting many calls of catapults and ball bearings like the one used on the cygnet [at The Clegg] that was only born in July and has died due to its injury.

“Swans can live up to 15 years, this one had been alive only a few months.

"Of the seven swans born, one was taken by a fox – which is nature obviously, but the other was shot by a ball bearing and died, another was killed by a dog and another was poorly but we treated it and released it.

“Some people may cast a fishing line and be annoyed by swans as their presence will affect the fish catch, we get that but please do not harm them, and if you accidentally get your line caught – please do not leave them to suffer.

“We know accidents happen, phone or text us and we will aid the bird.

“We are called out daily and do it to help the animals, please people be aware of wildlife and if in doubt of what to do after an accident just call us.”

To contact WWR Wings Wildlife, follow their Facebook page.