A stone stack known locally as Swan Island, located next to a medieval bridge in Cornwall, has recently been raised by volunteers to protect the nesting swans after the structure became submerged by high tides.

The stone stack, which had not been refurbished in 28 years, faced erosion and was underwater due to the recent supermoon tides. A dedicated group of volunteers managed to transport three tons of stone and two tons of earth from the bridge, successfully elevating the island by about one meter (3.3 feet).

Wildlife enthusiast Adrian Langdon hopes these efforts will keep the swan eggs safe for “decades to come.”

Cornwall Councillor Robin Moorcroft, who spearheaded the initiative, shared his motivation: “I first noticed the swans actively building their nest and was hopeful. But a few days later, after severe high tides, I returned to find one swan searching the water for her eggs. It was heartbreaking. I talked to a few friends, and as they say, the rest is history.”

Langdon, who serves as both a local naturalist and warden of the local bird reserve, emphasized the importance of the swans to the community: “Swans and their nests have always been part of our lives here. Children walk by every day and eagerly await the spring when the first egg is laid and the cygnets hatch. It’s a significant part of our community.”

Nick “Gus” Andrews, a volunteer who helped load stone onto the bridge for transport to the island, noted the camaraderie among the volunteers: “There’s no payment for this; it’s all about the strong community spirit. We tackle various projects around town, enjoy some laughs, and share a drink after a hard day’s work.”

For more updates, follow BBC Cornwall on social media platforms X, Facebook, and Instagram, or reach out with story ideas at [email protected].