Police investigate after nesting swan was shot in the FACE with an air rifle as she tended to her unhatched eggs in act of 'mindless cruelty'

• A swan was shot in the face in Thatcham, Berkshire, last week but survived
• The incident was the fifth 
• of its kind in the area in 10 days, with one swan dead
• The swan, which was attending to its unhatched eggs, is expected to recover
• The Queen's Swan Maker, David Barber, says the incident was 'mindless cruelty' 
• Thames Valley Police are investigating after the attacks began earlier this month 

Police are investigating after a nesting swan was shot in the face with an air rifle - one of FIVE shocking attacks in recent days.

The Queen's Swan Marker, who works closely with swan rescue organisations, has described the incident as 'mindless cruelty' after being notified.

The bird was targeted in Thatcham, Berkshire, last week while tending to her unhatched eggs.

An x-ray shows a pellet inside the swan's head after the act of 'mindless cruelty' last week

An animal charity covering the surrounding area said the attack is the fifth of its kind in the past 10 days - leaving four swans injured and one dead.

The eggs were taken to a support centre and the mother is expected to make a full recovery.

Wendy Hermon, of Swan Support, said: 'She was sat on a nest and they shot her in the head. We got a call to say she had blood all over its head.

'We went to pick her up and she had an operation on Thursday to remove an 8mm ball fired from an air weapon.

'She's very subdued but she's okay and will hopefully make a full recovery.

The attack was the fifth of its kind in the last 10 days, with four swans injured and one dead

'I think it's sick, sick people who have nothing else better to do. How can someone shoot a defenceless swan sat on a nest?'

The Queen has the right to own any unmarked swan in open waters, although this right is usually only exercised on certain stretches of the Thames.

David Barber, the Queen's Swan Marker, said: 'I am shocked and disgusted to learn of the shooting of a female swan who was sitting on a nest of four eggs.

'At the present time the swan is still alive but this is a life threatening injury and we do not know whether she will survive.

'This type of mindless cruelty is totally unacceptable and unnecessary and I sincerely hope the perpetrator of this abhorrent act will be pursued and punished accordingly.

'I hope that anyone with knowledge or information about this crime will report it to Thames Valley Police.'