If you've been part of the Forivor community for a while, you'll know we believe deeply in the power of nature and creativity to transform how we see the world. So when we had the chance to join Sacha Dench—the incredible "human swan"—on part of her latest expedition, we knew it would be something special.
We first encountered Sacha's extraordinary work when we interviewed her for our Space Above the Ground book. Picture this: high above the landscape on her paramotor, she followed Bewick swans on their epic 7,000-mile journey from Siberian breeding grounds to the mild wetlands of Gloucestershire. It's the kind of adventure that captures your imagination and refuses to let go—following these magnificent birds as they navigate by stars, magnetic fields, and ancient instincts across continents.
A Crisis Hidden in Beauty
But here's what makes Sacha's work so urgent: the birds she follows are disappearing. Migratory birds are facing declining insect populations, upon which many rely for sustenance during their epic journeys. Habitat loss poses the greatest challenge, alongside urban development and climate change. Recent data shows 16 species of migratory shorebirds have been reclassified to higher threat categories, with 34% now of global conservation concern.
The timing couldn't be more critical. As climate warming causes leaves and blooms to appear ahead of schedule, many migrating birds are struggling to keep up. Imagine traveling thousands of miles only to find your food sources have already peaked and declined by the time you arrive.
Wings, Wonder, and Simple Magic
When Sacha announced her route would pass through Wales, cycling and kayaking another swan migration corridor, we couldn't resist joining her. Over several weeks, we crafted simple swan wings with friends and family—honestly, anyone could make them. There's something beautifully democratic about that.
On a gloriously sunny Saturday morning, we met Sacha at Newport Wetlands, a haven for migratory birds along the Severn estuary. As we cycled together, her passion for these creatures was infectious. Did you know every Bewick swan has a completely unique facial pattern? Each bird is as individual as a human fingerprint, making their incredible journeys even more remarkable.
But it was the wing-making process that reminded us why Forivor exists. My friend's daughter Morwenna stood on a chair as we fitted her handmade wings. When she complained her arms were getting tired, it sparked the most natural conversation about how exhausting it must be for swans to fly such vast distances. That tiny moment of understanding—feeling even a fraction of what these birds experience—opened up worlds of wonder and empathy.
Watching children and adults alike spread their wings and imagine themselves on an epic migration was pure magic. It's exactly what we mean when we talk about nature and creativity working together to deepen understanding.
How You Can Spread Your Wings
Sacha's journey continues toward the Summit of the Species in Northern Denmark, and she'd love company along the way. You could:
- Join her for a section of the route—check her updates for opportunities
- Host a film screening about migration in your community
- Make your own swan wings at home and share them on social media using #ForivorSwans—we'd love to see as many creative interpretations as possible
- Support her work through our Swan Lady Fine Art Prints—we're donating £15 from every sale until September 15th. SHOP HERE
The Bigger Picture
What strikes me most about Sacha's work is how it makes global conservation feel personal and immediate. When Morwenna felt her "wings" getting heavy, she didn't just learn about swan migration—she experienced a tiny piece of it. That's the transformation we're after: moving from knowing about nature to feeling connected to it.
Every handmade wing, every conversation sparked, every person who joins Sacha's journey adds to a growing awareness that our world is beautifully, preciously interconnected. The Bewick swan that breeds in Siberia and winters in Gloucestershire doesn't recognize national borders—and neither should our efforts to protect the routes they've followed for millennia.
In a world where insect populations are declining massively and migration routes face unprecedented pressure, Sacha's combination of adventure, science, and storytelling offers hope. She shows us that individual passion, creativity, and courage can illuminate even the most complex environmental challenges.
So spread your wings, join the conversation, and help us follow the swans toward a future where these epic journeys continue for generations to come.
Ready to join our flock? Grab your Swan Lady print and help support Sacha's incredible work.