Twelve years ago, after Penny our resident swan was attacked by a dog on the riverside. I had the good fortune to contact Sue Hulbert.
An internet search led me to Fairford Swan Aid, who gave me Sue's number. I had been told that she was an expert on swans injuries and phoned her right away.
This was the start of a friendship that endures today, and she is thankfully still the River Nairn Swans and waterfowl Trustee, and Avian adviser.
That first phone call and her expert advice helped save Penny's life who went on to rear 70 cygnets until 2020 when she retired and left the river.
Over the years I have called Sue many times for advice on how to treat injured birds.
Sue has a swan Sanctuary of her own down in Wiltshire and has over 30 years experience dealing with injured Wildlife.
As a council ranger has been called on by the RSPCA and Police to rescue Swans , often in dangerous locations like motorways and lakes.
All the more impressive as she is barely over 5 foot and weighs only 7 stone!
Time marches on, and like myself, Sue is now in her 70s and semi - retired from wildlife rescues due to health issues, something I can well understand. Over the years she has rescued hundreds of swans and all sorts of other birds and animals seen here.
Talking recently , I told her that if there's an animal heaven...she will surely be there ! People like Sue are rare, few and far between, they make the world a better place for all of us. With compassion to educate the rest of us, to see the world as it should be seen.
Only last year she had a dozen hedgehogs. 6 cats, a parrot, 2 disabled ducks and several pigeons. She will continue to care for them, but the big rescues are now over. I used to joke with her about being the crazy cat lady, but genuinely she is the Swan Saver Lady.
She paid us a visit in 2013 and is welcome to come again anytime, thankfully she will remain our trusted avian adviser.
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