- Defra has launched a new online reporting system to be used by the public to report dead wild birds in Great Britain, as part of the Government response to the ongoing avian influenza outbreak.
- The new online system will be available to use 24/7, making is simpler and quicker for the public to report dead wild birds. It will not replace the Defra helpline, which will remain in place.
- In Great Britain members of the public should use the new online reporting system or call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if they find one or more dead birds of prey (such as an owl, hawk or buzzard), three or more dead birds that include at least one gull, swan, goose or duck or five or more dead wild birds of any species
- APHA and their contractors then collect some of these birds and test them to help us understand what risk posed to poultry and other captive birds is through understanding how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of wild bird, not all birds will be collected.
- Further guidance on reporting wild dead birds and details of the latest criteria used for how we prioritise reports made to Defra is published here:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds.
- Where dead birds are not required for surveillance purposes and disposal is necessary, on public land it is the responsibility of Local Authorities to safely collect and dispose of carcases and on private land, it is the responsibility of the land owner/manager. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/removing-and-disposing-of-dead-wild-birds
- Our advice to the public is not to touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.
- In England and Wales the ‘Mitigation Strategy for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in England and Wales’ provides guidance on actions land managers, ornithologists and the general public, together with the government, can take to mitigate the impact of avian influenza on wild bird populations whilst protecting public health and the wider environment.
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