Usutu virus

[Exfarmer]

The BTO ( British Trust for Ornithology) based in Thetford are appealing to thew public for assistance in tracking the rise of this virus which is killing primarily Blackbirds. It is spread by mosquitoes and there is concern that it may be a zoonosis capable of transmission to humans
I had not heard of this one before, it has been imported from South Africa and its presence known about in London for a while, it now appears to be spreading across the country.
I wonder when the powers that be will wake up to the risks posed by re flooding those marshlands, which the Victorians drained to stop the spread of malaria

 

[Welderloon]

Some sort of illness killing our local corvid population, doubtful that its poison based on the corridor the deaths are being observed
Jackdaw, Crow, Rook & Jay all being wiped out by something, all sitting by the roadside, lethargic, scabby, ill looking, then being found dead, some are being hit by vehicles as they cannot move from the road kill carrion fast enough.

 

[Exfarmer]

Some sort of illness killing our local corvid population, doubtful that its poison based on the corridor the deaths are being observed
Jackdaw, Crow, Rook & Jay all being wiped out by something, all sitting by the roadside, lethargic, scabby, ill looking, then being found dead, some are being hit by vehicles as they cannot move from the road kill carrion fast enough.

you always do get young corvids this time of year struggling to get enough to eat. We used to occasionally pick up a young Jackdaw to keep as a pet.l

 

[Welderloon]

I notified the Scottish BTO by e-mail that way they can investigate if required, based on the number of casualties I'd imagine they will have had a few notifications
Bird numbers were decimated last year by bird flu locally hence my concern..

 

[Paddington]

Hasn't reached Shropshire yet. Went out this morning at 6.30 and every barn, shed roof and fence seemed to have jackdaws perched there. Like a scene from The Birds.

 

[Exfarmer]

Hasn't reached Shropshire yet. Went out this morning at 6.30 and every barn, shed roof and fence seemed to have jackdaws perched there. Like a scene from The Birds.

Its the black birds at threat

 

[Paddington]

Its the black birds at threat

I have a blackbirds nest in my workshop on top of my soldering box, judging by the chirping coming from it the youngsters are pretty healthy.

 

[Hilly]

Sooner we bird flue here the better …..

 

[DrWazzock]

No shortage of rooks here, young and old. My barley is sustaining them. Ironic really that none of the environmental options provide them with any sustenance at all at this time of year when they are feeding young, laying eggs etc and need maximum energy. I’m out every hour with gun, kites, scarecrows, rope bangers, etc. Thousands of them. Unintended consequence of rewilding, tree planting, bird seed options etc. Makes it more and more difficult to grow stuff when you are surrounded by that kind of thing and most of the old shooters have died out.

 

[Hilly]

No shortage of rooks here, young and old. My barley is sustaining them. Ironic really that none of the environmental options provide them with any sustenance at all at this time of year when they are feeding young, laying eggs etc and need maximum energy. I’m out every hour with gun, kites, scarecrows, rope bangers, etc. Thousands of them. Unintended consequence of rewilding, tree planting, bird seed options etc. Makes it more and more difficult to grow stuff when you are surrounded by that kind of thing and most of the old shooters have died out.

Everyone is complaing about pigeons and rooks , just had a guy here whos into shooting getting paid to shoot them off some farmers , local town is as in land as you will get sea gulls galore …

 

[Gong Farmer]

Its the black birds at threat

And presumably other thrushes? Or is it that specific?

 

[Exfarmer]

And presumably other thrushes? Or is it that specific?

I would assume that it includes them all Of the species