Stakeholder Meetings
Ornithological Experts Group Meeting - 6 April 2006, 10:30 am
Present
Ian Anderson SEERAD
David Middleton SEERAD
Martyn Blissett SEERAD
Ian Bainbridge SEERAD
Colin Galbraith SNH
Ian McCall GCT
James Scott BASC
Peter Cranswick WWT
Andy Musgrove BTO
Nigel Clarke BTO
Helen Baker JNCC
David Stroud JNCC
Paul Walton RSPB
Duncan Orr-Ewing RSPB
John Doherty WWT
Andy Douse SNH
Jacqui Clark BTO
1. Ian Anderson confirmed that disease had been confirmed in a mute swan and indications are it is likely to be the H5N1 strain. In response a PZ and SZ have been created.
2. Martyn Blissett confirmed the bird was 12 kg and in good condition. Indications are it had been dead for a few days. Ian Bainbridge believed it to be an adult bird.
3. Mute swans are in the main non-migratory however the bird was not ringed suggesting it could be a bird from outside the UK. It was agreed that this was circumstantial evidence and we could not make any assumptions e.g. link to the Baltic. There would be continued observation on mute swan populations.
4. SEERAD continue to advise the public to use the Defra helpline to report die-offs.
Action point: SEERAD to discuss with SAC the possibilities for retrieving birds from difficult locations.
5. Colin Galbraith stressed that birds should be tested rapidly. It was agreed this was a priority.
6. Paul Walton confirmed that the RSPB were monitoring daily.
7. Andy Douse queried if there were any biosecuirty issues to observe. It was confirmed that staff should follow the usual biosecurity arrangements by avoiding touching dead birds and observing basic hygiene precautions if in close contact.
8. It was confirmed that shooting is prohibited in the PZ and SZ and that ringing should cease in these areas.
9. IA concluded the meeting by thanking the group for their continued co-operation and useful advice and asked that we stay in close contact. He confirmed that the SVS will increase wild bird surveillance.
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