Swimmers have been slammed for disturbing swans after taking a dip in a London pond during the scorching Bank Holiday weekend..
The heatwave, which has resulted in the hottest British May day on record, has raised fears over wildlife after a video of antisocial behaviour in Hampstead Heath sparked fury.
Footage showed people swimming in front of "no swimming" signs, and dogs - which are also banned - paddling through the water.
The video posted by wildlife blogger Swans of Hampstead Heath showed swimmers wading near the Heath's dedicated wildlife sanctuary.
In one video, a family of newly-hatched cygnets are seen swimming in a section of the pond away from disturbances caused by the swimmers.
On social media, the wildlife account said: "We are currently in peak nesting season. There are still eggs waiting to hatch, ducklings and chicks only days/weeks old, and for the first time in years, swans have successfully nested on this pond, with cygnets now just 13 days old."
The account also noted that the scheme to dedicate a section of land as a wildlife sanctuary was backed by more than £50,000 in public donations.
Hampstead Heath is home to 30 ponds, but only three are dedicated for swimming.
Members of the public were seen swimming and wading in the section of pond dedicated for wildlife during hatching season
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The RSPB has urged swimmers to swim in authorised spaces and avoid the nature reserves.
The charity said: "Along with the dangers of swimming in unauthorised places, there is a significant risk of disturbing wildlife.
"Many species are already under huge pressure and disturbance can make a parent abandon their nest, putting eggs and chicks at risk."
One witness told The Times police officers would arrive at the ponds and tell swimmers to leave, but would jump back in after authorities left.
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Hampstead Heath is home to three dedicated swimming ponds (pictured)
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One woman, who was swimming, said: "We're all human, and we all just want to be in the water with our friends, and there are bigger issues in the world to focus on."
Another woman said: "Why do you repackage water and make us buy it? It's like nothing is free anymore and that’s not fair for us as well.
"We don’t want to pay for water and natural water that we find naturally. That makes no sense."
Lisa Bradley, who had come to sunbathe, said the swimmers were "ignorant", noting the other ponds where swimming was allowed.
It is the currently hatching season for swans and their cygnets, with concerns disturbances could cause cygnets to leave parents
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But nature campaigner and barrister Paul Powesland told The Guardian the actions by swimmers were an "inevitable consequence" of of the "destruction of outdoor lidos and the poisoning of rivers" in London.
The 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.
"Entering other non-lifeguarded water bodies is extremely dangerous, against our bylaws, 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."