Concern as dead swan is found on riverbank
A dead swan has been spotted on the banks of the Forth at Cornton amid a bird flu outbreak.
A reader contacted the Observer about the carcass after seeing it lying by the banks of the river last Tuesday, February 14, the day before a case of the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu strain was confirmed at a Stirling farm a few miles away.
Following the Stirling case – at Murdiston Cottage, Chalmerston Road - a three kilometre ‘protection zone’ and a ten kilometre ‘surveillance zone’ was placed around the site. It follows a case in Mayfield Crescent, Clackmannan, on January 24.
The reader said: “The dead swan was lying on a bank of the Forth, on the Cornton side, a short distance downstream from Cornton Vale and near an old fishing hut.
“It was just off the wellused path that runs along the bank towards Stirling. The path is accessed from the road that runs down to the river and alongside the prison. I reported the sighting to DEFRA.
“There are always swans in that area, particularly at the rear Forth Valley College, not far from where we saw the dead one.” Following the Chalmerston Road case there are restrictions on the movement of poultry, eggs and manure across the Stirling area - with enhanced reporting measures to help avoid any further spread.
Government advice to the public is not to touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick wild birds as they can carry several diseases that are infectious to people.
Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed said this week: “I commend the fast action of the keeper of these birds in notifying the relevant agencies.
“I would remind other keepers in the constituency that measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza are mandatory.
“I encourage all constituents who keep birds to check whether their premises falls within the protection zone or the surveillance zone around this case. Early detection and swift action are key to disease control and minimising the impacts on both keepers and rural communities.”
If members of the public find a single dead bird of prey, three dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or five or more dead wild birds, of any other species at the same time, they should report them to: Report dead wild birds - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), or Animal Plant and Health Agency, Perth on 03000 600704.
Alternatively, call the helpline: 03459 33 55 77.