Hello, we live in Yorkshire in the UK. Not far from us there are are big ponds, frequented by anglers and dog walkers, with lots of aquatic birds living and nesting in the area.

We have been following the progress of a swan family, from the pen sitting on three eggs, which hatched in April, and seeing the cygnets grow. Occasionally a curious dog would get too close, and the cob would always manage to chase them off.

After the weekend my husband went there for his habitual walk and was greeted with horrible news. A fellow dog walker told him that all three cygnets were dead, ripped to pieces, as well as a big Canada goose, with its head ripped off. We can only assume this carnage were caused by out-of-control dogs, but we don't know. The cob was very seriously injured, and one of the anglers called the RSPCA, who attended but claimed they could not do anything as the injuries were too great. The cob was just left there and later died. It does not bear thinking about what they all went through.

Our concern is now for the surviving pen. She has retreated to a nest they used last year (not this year's) in the middle of the pond and seems to just sit there and rarely leave it, constantly turning her head and neck this way and that as though searching for her family. It is heartbreaking. We feel desperately sorry for her and wonder if there is anything that can or should be done to help her? We are afraid she will lay eggs again and try to hatch them to no avail, perhaps starving in the process as she might not leave the nest to seek food.

If you are able to advise of the best thing to do - if anything at all - we will then try to find someone who can help us do it. It is heartbreaking to think of her completely alone and grieving.

With kind regards
Anne