About us
Swans & Friends Bird Rescue is a dedicated organisation based in Copthorne, UK. With volunteer rescuers based around the southern counties our reach is far, we are focused on the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds. Founded by a group of passionate volunteers, our mission is to provide care and support to wildlife in need. Our team is comprised of trained volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that each bird receives the attention and medical treatment it deserves. We believe in the power of community and education to foster a greater understanding of wildlife conservation. Through our various services, including emergency rescue and outreach programmes, we strive to make a positive impact on our local ecosystem. We invite you to join us in our mission to protect and rehabilitate our feathered friends.
The Volunteers
A designated team of volunteers who travel the southern counties and beyond to rescue injured waterbirds and more.
Working in partnership with the Shepperton Swan Sanctuary we ensure all birds get that 2nd chance either beit through medical care, rehabilitation and release or offering a safe forever home.
Swans & Friends, how it began
When Linda started work at a vets on Saturdays at the tender age of 12, I doubt she imagined that later in life she would have founded a wildlife rescue that has been running very successfully for many years and has saved countless lives.
The scene was set and her love of animals, especially wildlife and birds that were her passion, kept her there for several years until all the children came along. It was always in her mind to get back to caring for birds and animals once they had grown up. Later on she saw an advert for volunteers wanted at Outwood Swan Sanctuary and thought she would do that when the time came. Time went on and the advert appeared again in October 2001 but this time said "Urgently required". That was it, the children were all doing their own thing so she made the phone call! Intending to help out one morning a week, anyone that knows Linda will not be surprised to learn that this very quickly became almost full time!
John had had a lifetime interest in birds. He used to spend his summer holidays with Bert Axell at Dungeness Bird Sanctuary as a boy. He used to recount the time Bert said to him to look at a particular bird through the binoculars, saying "you may never see one of those in the wild again”… It was a Canada goose!! Well, John very soon joined Linda at Outwood and inevitably, their work at the Sanctuary became more than cleaning and feeding! There was also the rescues and, once back at the Sanctuary, the very crucial medical side. Fully committed, they never looked back.
When the founder of Outwood Swan Sanctuary, Marjorie Unwin, died, the premises were reclaimed by the National Trust.
John and Linda Potts knew there was a need for the rescue work to continue and continue it did. They duly formed Swans & Friends Bird Rescue in 2006 along with two other volunteers … Lorraine who became treasurer and Keith who was on hand for rescues. Over the years they rescued swans and water birds to the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton and become one of their long standing and dedicated rescuers.
Sadly John passed away on the 12th January 2022 and Linda pledged to keep up his good work and ensure that Swans and Friends continued fighting to save and protect birds.
Since John died, Danni, already a rescuer for the Swan Sanctuary, took on the ambulance (swanbulance) to do rescues as well... equipped with his trusty kayak, he is absolutely crucial to birds who need full water rescue.
Earlier in 2024, Sally joined the team as a new rescuer. In addition we have Clare who has been helping with rescues for several years. More recently, Rob and Tess who have become our eyes and ears on the ground are always on hand to help.
Each member is a major part of the team and, of course, Keith who has been there from the start continues to rescue and save lives each and every day.
Rehabilitation Services
