Wildlife lovers have reacted with disgust at the latest shooting, after the lifeless bird was discovered floating in the water at Stanley Ferry on Tuesday morning.

Thugs struck at around 11pm with what was thought to be an air rifle. Shocked boat owners found a pellet wound to the swan’s head the next morning.

John Gillespie, 40, who moors his boat close to where the attack happened, said: “The cowardly, mindless act has brought an outcry of disgust for these individuals, who hurried away into the night once their pathetic crime was done.”

The shooting came after Stanley Marsh conservationists were devastated at the killing of the male from a pair of popular breeding swans. The swan was found dead on Monday, February 15.

Police said they were investigating both incidents and urged any witnesses to telephone the Northwest neighbourhood police team on 01924 293857.

Alison Berry, from action group the Friends of Stanley Marsh, said: “We were shocked that people could do something like this.”

The Stanley Marsh incident was followed by a similar attack at Foxholes Lane in Altofts, where a swan was shot dead on Friday, February 19.

Police said one of a group of four men, two dressed in camouflage trousers, was seen shooting the swan in the neck with an air rifle with a telescopic lens. The bird died almost instantly after the attack at around 3.30pm.

The men drove from the scene in a blue Nissan pickup which had a camouflage tent in its rear, police said.

Anyone with information about the Altofts incident should contact the Normanton and Featherstone NPT on 01924 295453.

Killing a swan is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 2001 and carries a maximum £5,000 fine or six months in jail.

The birds are also technically property of the Queen, and anybody who harms one may be prosecuted for criminal damage.