Fareham Creek hit by 18 swan deaths as avian flu outbreak prompts fundraising effort

Bird-watchers raised concerns after finding four dead birds near the creek at the start of December, leading to a Defra investigation that confirmed avian flu had hit the area.

Now, residents have launched a fundraising page to stock up on nutritious bird feed, essential for keeping the birds as healthy as possible.

Sharon Mullins, a Fareham resident who set up the page, said it was ‘heartbreaking’ to see so many of the ‘wonderful’ birds die so quickly.

She said: ‘This has never happened before.

‘We have lost four to six between December and March in previous years – but we have never lost this many.

‘Recently we didn’t see the usual symptoms of avian flu, like them going around in circles.

‘A lot of the really poorly ones were avoiding the flock. One of them had blood near his ears for a couple of weeks.

‘It’s really bizarre.’

Sharon and a group of fellow swan-lovers have already raised more than £250 to feed the 100-strong flock, which will be given high quality bird seed four times a day.

Residents who want to help the animals should avoid giving them white bread, according to Sharon.

The 47-year-old said: ‘I have been feeding them for about four years – they need bird seeds and fruit and vegetable cuttings.

‘We are asking people to please not feed them white bread – it’s full of sugar and isn’t good for swans.

‘Someone saw a woman with 16 loaves of bread feeding the swans.’

SEE ALSO: Two Poundland stores in Fareham among 44 in country to temporarily close amid coronavirus lockdown

There are several strains of bird flu, most of which are low risk to humans or are not easily caught and spread by humans.

Defra does not undertake culls in wild bird populations, and any dead wild birds found in the area should be reported to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

Donations to support the feeding of the swans can be made at gofund.me/047533ab

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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