Birdwatchers watching for bird flu

Bird flu risk low but vigilance still urged

by Nicci Martel

BIRDWATCHERS are on the lookout for signs of avian flu as migrating species fly south for the winter.

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is stepping up its surveillance of certain areas where migrating birds from the Arctic or Russian tundra are likely to be seen.
But Guernsey has not been deemed a high-risk area.
‘Most migrating birds will be coming back from the north-east so will have crossed large areas of the UK before arriving here, so hopefully we are not on the front line,’ said agricultural and environmental advisor Andrew Casebow, who is a member of the Defra Wild Bird Surveillance Group.
‘But we are concerned about H5N1 bird flu coming to Guernsey as a disease of migrating birds and infecting local poultry. For this reason, we are taking part in the UK’s surveillance programme.’
Commerce and Employment has agreed with birdwatchers from La Societe Guernesiaise and the RSPB that any unusual or high death rates in migrating or resident birds will be monitored.
Waterfowl found dead in areas where poultry are present will be targeted and live-caught swans, geese, ducks, gulls and waders will be sampled where appropriate.
If any of these birds are found dead, samples could be sent to Defra for further examination. The cost of sending samples for analysis can reach almost £300, so this will be done only when the circumstances conform to Defra guidelines.
Unusual bird deaths should be reported, but people are being urged to try to distinguish between what is a natural, normal occurrence and something of greater concern.
‘In the spring we had huge numbers of reported deaths among garden birds. While this was interesting at the time, Defra is now emphasising the need for a more targeted approach,’ said Mr Casebow.
‘They are not really interested in the deaths of blackbirds, finches or starlings etc. unless they occur in very high numbers – more than 10 at one time.’
He also said that in the spring, many of the birds reported had been killed in accidents or had been partially eaten by cats.



Published 21/9/2006