Concern as 7 swans die at Fareham Creek prompting Defra investigation

Self-confessed swan enthusiast Paula Headley, 54, of Deanes Road, went out on her boat to collect four bodies of dead swans with another dying shortly after it was recovered.

Paula said it was a distressing time and she had repeatedly called the RSPCA over the deaths that started last week.

She now has four bodies of swans who died in the creek in her garden awaiting collection.

‘I’ve kept them in boxes and not gone near them,’ she said.

By Friday four were dead but that included a cygnet killed in a fox attack, Paula said.

The cause is unknown and is now being investigation.

Paula added: ‘It’s quite upsetting for us swan enthusiasts.

‘We had (on Friday) four bodies and a couple out there looking sick. On Saturday we lost two.’

Councillor Katrina Trott said the agency is now involved.

The swan population has swelled to around 120 in recent years, Paula said.

Cllr Trott said: ‘Fareham Borough Council’s environment department have confirmed to me that they are liaising with... Defra.’

Concerns have been raised the cause could be stagnant water at the lagoon near the Cams Mill, rat poison in gardens flooding into the water from high tides or avian flu. No cause has been confirmed.

It comes after 10,000 turkeys need to be culled in North Yorkshire following an avian flu outbreak. It is one of six incidents in Britain.

Northern Ireland has taken steps to boost biosecurity rules on its border in a bid to stop a further outbreak.

The News has contacted Defra for more information. The department lists confirmed cases of avian flu, and Fareham is not on the list.

Its website added: ‘If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77 - please select option seven).’

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Fareham council leader Cllr Sean Woodward said: ‘Our environmental health people (are involved) as well.

‘If they can rule out avian flu then we need to find out what is killing them. It’s very worrying.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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