Coed y Dinas in Welshpool, Powys closed after suspected avian flu

Montgomershire Wildlife Trust confirmed it had close the Coed-y-Dinas Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Welshpool after a suspected outbreak of avian flu left multiple Black Headed Gulls dead.

In a statement on social media, a spokesperson for the trust said: “We are deeply saddened by reports of numerous dead birds on our Llyn Coed-y-Dinas Nature Reserve in Welshpool.

READ MORE: Birder's shock at deaths in 'vibrant' Welshpool gull colony amid suspected bird flu

“Although not confirmed, it is likely this is a result of Avian Influenza or Bird Flu which is having a devastating impact on wild bird populations across the country. Please be assured that we’re aware of the situation and are dealing with it, according to official guidance.

“We have taken the very difficult decision to close the reserve to the public for the time being. We are concerned about the potential risk to our visitors, due to the number of birds affected. Please bear with us at this difficult time.”

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Both the Trust and the Government’s Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has advised that the public do not touch sick or dead wild birds and to report them to Defra via their website or helpline.

A Defra spokesperson said: “We recognise that the current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza poses a significant threat to the UK’s wild bird populations and we have provided advice and guidance to land managers on the approach to disease findings in wild birds which is based on the latest scientific evidence and international best practice.

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“We will continue to keep the outbreak in wild birds under review and will work closely with partners on any action needed. Alongside our year round wild bird surveillance programme, we have invested in a £1.5million in research project to understand how this disease is behaving in wild and kept birds, this will help inform our approach going forward.”

The Welsh Government has warned that “the virus has not gone away and is still circulating in wild birds and scrupulous biosecurity and hygiene measures offer the best protection for poultry and kept birds.”

If you find a dead bird you can report to DEFRA using the Government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds or via the Defra helpline 03459 33 55 77.