The leader of Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has spoken out after three cygnets were found dead at Anton Lakes.

Though there were initially rumours that the young swans had been shot, but Phil North has now confirmed that this is not the case after speaking with the countryside officer at TVBC.

He said that the deaths of the cygnets “seem to be as a result of collisions with the overhead power lines - with a witness confirming that to be the case with the incident today.

“The cygnets are currently learning to fly and take-off and landing over the lake does put them in danger of colliding with the lines. Usually they seem to navigate this fairly well with only a small number of strikes in recent history. However, the power lines seem to be causing particular problems this week, which might have something to do with the bright weather.”

A study from 2008 by Darren Frost says that “the main cause of mute swan deaths in the UK is collision with overhead wires,” with birds between 4-6 years old being the most at risk. After installing reflectors, generally reflective tags or coloured balls, on wires at a site in Essex, they found that swan deaths could be reduced by up to 95%.

A similar study which took place at the Martin Mere wetland in Lancashire found that swans are more at risk if the wires are located close to surface water, as they are at Anton Lakes.

North added that the council was “currently trying to make contact with the electricity company to discuss the possibility of installing reflectors on the lines.”

Another potential alternative to the reflectors is a bird diverter, which works both day and night by absorbing ultraviolet light throughout the day, then emitting it at night so the lights can be seen.