Don't blame wild birds for flu
THE FINGER of blame for the outbreak of bird flu is unfairly being pointed at wild birds, it has been claimed.
Ciaran Nelson, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds spokesman in Norfolk, said: "It's a bit too quick to say it could be wild birds.
"We haven't seen evidence of a trail of dead, sick or dying birds on migration routes that birds coming to the UK at this time of year follow.
"This is an outbreak in the middle of the country – not where you would expect it to be if it was wild birds."
Lynn Wildfowlers' president NW Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham, said: "It may be that this outbreak was caused by migrating wildfowl, but until we are sure it's important not to jump to conclusions and place restrictions on wildfowlers."
Bird shows and pigeon racing are banned while the restrictions are in force. But the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Welney is going ahead with its Festival of Swans this weekend, with no special measures at present.
Large numbers of birdwatchers are expected to visit the 1,000-acre nature reserve to see 4,000 Whooper swans roosting there. Tens of thousands of other wildfowl are expected to winter at Welney.
Biosecurity protocols are followed at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, near Fakenham, to safeguard its stock of wild birds. Visitors drive through car tyre disinfection dips.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
