New safety measures are needed at Backwell Lake to stop swans flying into overhead power lines.

Last year several swans died after getting tangled in the cables and so far, this year there have been three reported deaths.

Countryside enthusiast Joe Brake posting on Backwell Connect Facebook page said: “There are three places in particular that need reflectors ASAP.

“I found five dead carcasses in one field last year.

“We had one two weeks ago at another field that needs reflectors, then there was another last month in the same place as this morning.”

Lorraine Hopkinson-Parker said: “I'm contacting Wessex Water to see if they were responsible for cutting back the trees and greenery because it should be obvious that losing the background and not having proper bird deflectors is going to result in birds being unnecessarily killed.

“I'm told that we are now approaching double figures for swan deaths since last year and that’s not acceptable when it is so avoidable.”

Many of the casualties are ploughing into the wires between the pylons and the little footbridge.

A representative from Western Power who has been out to inspect the problem is recommending extra swan reflectors, said Mrs Hopkinson-Parker.

Backwell resident Helen Shalders said: “That's good news.

“Where we used to keep the sheep there were a mixture of flappy and spinning things on the wires to stop the red kites meeting their doom, it worked well.”

Michael Chapman thinks it is likely birds are fatally injured by the wires rather than getting electrocuted, but a witness said they heard an ‘explosion’ when a swan hit the cables.

Mr Brake added: “We’ve been on at Western Power for the past year to put more line reflectors on all the wires.”

Mrs Hopkinson-Parker added: “Western Power is of the view that because trees and greenery were cut down last year the swans now have no natural background and can't see the power lines.

“Because the power lines are 33,000 volts they need to be switched off before the installation of new bird diverters.

“I am told this process may take a few weeks and I have asked that this be expedited as a matter of urgency and will call the manager back in two weeks for an update.”

The overhead power cable at Backwell Lake is 33,000 volts and supplies electricity to around 18,000 homes and businesses including Bristol Airport.

Backwell Lake was constructed in the 1970s as a ‘balancing pond’ to drain excess water for the massive new developments being built in Nailsea.

It was designated as a nature reserve in 1990 and is now home to a diversity of birds, bats and insects.

The lake supports more than 10 species of birds including mute swans, tufted ducks and grey herons. 

At least 19 species of common and rare dragonflies have been recorded, including the scarce chaser, southern hawker and broad bodied chaser.

The thriving insect life on site helps support pipstrelle and daubenton bats which visitors can see feeding at dusk or dawn.

Fishing, cycling and swimming is not allowed in the lake grounds and dogs must be kept on leads.

There are long term, controversial proposals to skirt the lake with huge pylons to link the Hinkley nuclear power plant to Avonmounth and highway engineers want to build a dual carriageway linking the A370 to the M5.