Police are looking for a person who shot a nesting swan in the head with an air rifle as she was tending to her unhatched eggs.
Shockingly, it's one of five similar attacks in recent days and has been branded an act of 'mindless cruelty' by the Queen's swan marker, who has been notified since the horrific incident took place.
The bird, which was targeted in Thatcham, Berkshire, was found on 22 April last week.
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According to an animal charity that looks after the area, the attack is the fifth one in ten days. Four swans have been injured, including this one, and one has sadly died.
The eggs are being looked after at a support centre, with the mother 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.
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"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.
"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.
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David Barber MVO, the monarch'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."
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After swans build their nests, which takes around 2-3 weeks, the swan will lay her eggs. Once they are laid - which can take 2-3 weeks again, they will be incubated (where the mother sits on them to help them grow) for up to six weeks. In some cases this can take even longer.
Anyone who has information on the incidents is asked to contact the police by calling 101 and quoting the reference number 43200122152.
Featured Image Credit: SWNS