MEMBERS of the public are being urged not to touch any dead or sick wild birds they may come across in Pembrokeshire.
Avian flu is spreading further across Pembrokeshire following reports that sedentary birds which are being found on beaches.
Make no attempt to move away when approached.
Dead or sick birds in public places, such as beaches, should be reported by calling 01437 764551 (or out of hours 0345 601 5522) for Pembrokeshire County Council to arrange to collect safely.
Please have information to hand about where and when the bird or birds were discovered.
Using a location finding app like what3words to record the location of the dead or sick bird(s) is also extremely helpful.
The warning comes following an increase of dead birds being reported by members of the public, particularly along the shoreline.
Bird Flu has been confirmed among Northern Gannets on Grassholm Island off the Pembrokeshire coast, and a number of these have washed up on mainland beaches.
A positive result has also been recorded on the Pembrokeshire mainland.
Dogs and other pets should also be kept away from any dead or sick birds.
All bird keepers (whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times.
Last month, the RSPB Cymru have confirmed that a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has reached Grassholm Island off the Pembrokeshire coast after a spate of gannet deaths.
The island is home to the world’s third largest colony of the bird species, with 36,000 pairs. It is also one of only two gannet colonies in Wales.
In recent months, HPAI cases have been identified in other parts of England and Wales.
The avian charity said it has been “living in hope” that Grassholm would manage to avoid the spread of the disease.
Additional information on biosecurity is available from the Welsh Government here: https://gov.wales/biosecurity-and-preventing-disease-captive-birds
Cover image: The National Trust team of rangers clear dead birds from Staple Island, one of the Farne Islands (Owen Humphreys/PA)
