Just ask Beverley Sykes.

They are two of the latest situations where she, Phillip Moore and Jeff Falconer have rescued lost and abandoned cygnets.

And she and Phillip currently have 16 on their Wonnerup property as evidence.

Beverley is continuing a tradition started by local animal lover Mabel Bell, of rescuing cygnets and caring for them until they are able to look after themselves.

“We received a call the other day that there were two cygnets walking down Geographe Bay Road, which is pretty long, but we came around a bend and there they were,” she said.

“And we recently saved four by canoe – three out of the Vasse River and one out of the ocean.”

Appropriately, Beverley has called her cygnet haven, or rehab centre, ‘Swan Lake’.

She has made a special enclosure for them, attached to a dam.

At night they are safely ensconced in the enclosure with their own pool and in the morning, after Beverley has fed them, they head into the dam and return home each night.

It is the third year she has cared for cygnets. “So far this year we have had 35 cygnets in our care and have released 13 on to the Peppermint Beach wetlands.”

“We had 21 the first year and 11 last year.”

The late-hatched cygnets were left on the wetlands as their parents needed to fly off for their own survival.

Beverley said the cygnets had their own personality, and they tended to name them after their rescuers.

“Delaine, was the first this season, rescued from Port Geographe.”

Beverley said through their efforts they wanted to raise awareness of the plight of cygnets.

“If you see them walking along the street, swimming in the ocean, or without a parent, then they need help.

“They are usually very dehydrated and hungry,” she said.

“Lettuce donations from neighbours to feed them have been greatly appreciated. We feed them up until their flight feathers grow, and then they are released on healthy wetlands.

“Letting nature take its course does not apply when developments and waterways control have adversely affected breeding grounds. It’s up to the community to try and restore the balance.”

So if you happen to spot a cygnet wandering around without a parent, then put in a call, as it’s sure to be lost.

Beverley can be contacted on 9754 1906 and Jeff on 9754 8256.