BROMSGROVE District Council has moved to allay fears about avian flu after flyers were put up in Sanders Park warning residents not to touch dead or sick birds.
The Standard was contacted by a concerned resident about the move which mentioned the disease had been ‘found in the local area’ and wanting more information.
We contacted the council, which also has some shared services with Redditch Borough.
It explained that the warning had been issued – not because avian flu had been found in Sanders Park but because it had been found in Arrow Valley Country Park in neighbouring Redditch.
As birds are not confined to individual towns or districts and do travel, the warning has been extended to Bromsgrove.
Speaking last week regarding the discovery of the disease in Redditch, the council said: “Please don’t touch or pick up any sick or dead wild birds.
“This helps protect both people and other wildlife. Stick to paths and keep dogs on leads.
“And do not feed the birds to stop them gathering and the virus spreading.”
The member of the public who contacted us about the warning said: “Bird populations are struggling without this happening.
“It is important that dogs are kept on leads and not allowed to run loose over the grass etc to help prevent the spread.”
Any member of the public who finds an injured, unwell or dead bird is advised to report it to: [email protected] and they will report it to DEFRA.
People can also report dead wild birds directly to Defra online at https://bit.ly/3Y880CA or by calling 03459 33 55 77 (option 7), using What3Words will provide a more accurate location.
