Mysterious case of dead birds found on riverbank

DOZENS of dead birds have been washed up on the banks of the Lune in Lancaster city centre.

Residents first reported ducks. Last week it was gulls. "We came back from holiday to find no ducks on the water," said John Hogarth, who lives in Lune Square. Wife Sandra then discovered about 10 dead near the Millennium Bridge with more seen since.

Michael Hacker, who lives on St George's Quay, told of the dead gulls.
"There were quite a few," he said. They were between the Millennium Bridge and Skerton Weir.

What is causing the deaths is a mystery, however, and may remain so.
The Hogarths contacted the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) who put them in touch with the State Veterinary Service.
Chicken flu was ruled out. Pollution because of low water levels in recent hot weather, the vets suggested.

The Environment Agency had only heard about gulls. Staff came to Lancaster,
investigated and found no sign of pollution. "The birds looked like they had been washed in from the sea," said a spokesman.

Experienced bird watcher Jon Carter said gulls sometimes got botulism at this time of year from the rubbish they scavenged and ate. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said this was quite frequent. Defra did not reply to the Guardian's questions. Lancaster City Council said the problem
was not within its responsibilities.

Meanwhile the Health Protection Agency warned against handling the birds' carcasses. Anyone who did should immediately wash their hands before eating or doing anything else. This would minimise any risk of infection.