A WOMAN has told of her distress after rescuing a family of oil-covered swans in Old Kilpatrick.

Kirsty Murdoch discovered two adults and six cygnets living in polluted water at The Saltings.

With the help of her husband, she managed to safely transport the family to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre in Beith - where they are recovering.

Kirsty said: “A lady phoned me and said she had been out for a walk at The Saltings where she’d seen a swan family, two adults and six cygnets, covered in oil.

The family is recovering at Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre

The family is recovering at Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre

“My husband and I went down to have a look as volunteer wildlife couriers because we do quite a few swan rescues.

“They did indeed appear to be oiled but they weren’t at a section where we could’ve collected them easily.

“When we went back on Monday they were in the exact right position for us to capture them safely.

“I caught the dad and we got him wrapped up, then we captured the mum and the cygnets and got them all into the car.”

Kirsty added: “It was distressing to see them like that. Swans like to be clean and they’re always preening.

“The cygnets would never have survived if they had been left any longer.”

Two adults and six one-week old cygnets were taken to safety

Two adults and six one-week old cygnets were taken to safety

Andy Christie, from Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre, said he had reported the incident to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

He said: “The cygnets and the swans are fine but they are still a bit dirty.

“We’ve got most of the oil off and they are all eating quite happily and behaving as they should, but we can’t put them back because the place is still contaminated.

“It is an annual occurrence at that location. I’ve spoken to SEPA and they are looking into it.

“It’s a long term problem because there is so much oil in the ground.”