Crowds splash and let dogs swim in Hampstead Heath ponds during swan nesting season

Hampstead Heath swimmers looking to cool off in the heatwave are posing a threat to ducks, swans, and cygnets during peak nesting season.

As Londoners try to keep their cool, Hampstead Heath’s wildlife ponds have seen an influx of swimmers.

The heath has designated swimming ponds, but entering the water is banned in other areas.

Despite large signs warning visitors not to swim, footage this week showed people wading through the water and lying on inflatables.

One swimmer was filmed being stopped moments before climbing over a swan’s nest.

Another video circulated widely online showed a swan poking an unhatched egg with its beak after it fell into the water.

Wildlife campaigners and experts have now said the City of London isn’t doing enough to protect the birds at this critical time.

Andrew Knight, a professor of animal welfare, posted on X: ‘Hundreds of people. One protected London pond. Peak nesting season. Ducks, swans, 12-day-old cygnets. 

‘And yet… splash splash splash. Right now, birds are still raising their young. Nesting season isn’t over. Disturbance from swimmers — splashing, noise, dogs, and crowding near nesting sites — can cause parent birds to abandon nests or leave chicks vulnerable.’

Another account, Swans of Hampstead Heath, wrote: ‘We’ve all known for over a week that this was going to be a hot Bank Holiday weekend, and @cityoflondonheath had every opportunity to prevent last year’s scenes from repeating themselves, but they failed to do so.

‘People travel from all over London to party in this pond with little regard for its wildlife. The Heath should not have to lose its nature to accommodate people unwilling to respect it.’

The City of London Corporation is working to create a safe haven for nesting birds in the Heath’s model boating pond.

London is still in the midst of a heatwave, with locals becoming desperate for cooler weather.

The record for the hottest temperature was broken in England and Wales, with Kew Gardens in London reaching 35.1°C yesterday.

On the railways and the Tube, commuters were caught in disruption after a spate of delays and cancellations, with some continuing today.

The heat blast has also sparked a debate about why the hot weather hits different in the UK than anywhere else.

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, Alderman Gregory Jones KC, said: ‘The recent conduct of some visitors swimming in non-lifeguarded ponds is utterly appalling.

‘Swimming is only permitted in the Mixed, Ladies’ and Men’s Ponds for safety reasons.

‘Entering other non-lifeguarded water bodies is extremely dangerous, against our byelaws, and causes significant harm to wildlife habitats.

‘We always seek to engage with visitors first, but the Constabulary will take enforcement action where necessary, including issuing fines or making arrests.’

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