Gregory Jones KC Condemns Swans Nesting Hampstead Heath Disturbance

Gregory Jones KC said the conduct of some visitors swimming in non-lifeguarded ponds at swans nesting Hampstead Heath was “utterly appalling” after dozens of people entered a wildlife pond on Monday. The disturbance came during record 35C temperatures and left swans and their 12-day-old cygnets among nesting birds in the water.

A swan was seen poking an unhatched egg with its beak after it fell into the water during the chaos. Coots, moorhens and swans were also seen guarding eggs and young while people splashed around them.

Hampstead Heath Pond

Large signs around the pond urge people not to swim because it is a wildlife conservation area. Swans of Hampstead Heath said this was the first time in years that swans had successfully nested on the pond, and that the cygnets were 13 days old.

The group said, “We are currently in peak nesting season. There are still eggs waiting to hatch, ducklings and chicks only days/weeks old, and for the first time in years, swans have successfully nested on this pond, with cygnets now just 13 days old. Restricting these birds to a small section at the back of the pond makes it incredibly difficult for them to access the natural food they need to survive.”

Gregory Jones KC

Jones, who chairs the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park committee, said entering non-lifeguarded water bodies is against bylaws and causes significant harm to wildlife habitats. He said, “We always seek to engage with visitors first, but the constabulary will take enforcement action where necessary, including issuing fines or making arrests.”

The RSPB said it was “a crucial time of year for breeding birds which just want to nest and care for their young in peace.” It also warned that disturbance can make a parent abandon its nest, putting eggs and chicks at risk.

Paul Powesland

Nature campaigner and barrister Paul Powesland said, “I am not defending the people in the video, but scenes like this are an almost inevitable consequence of the destruction of outdoor lidos and the poisoning of rivers across London.” For swimmers at the pond, the practical limit was already set by the signs and the wildlife around them: the area was being used for nesting, not recreation.