More bird corpses washed up on coast
THOUSANDS of gallons of oil is today still taking its toll on local wildlife – a sign that the Black Death is set to wreak havoc for many weeks to come.
THOUSANDS of gallons of oil is today still taking its toll on local wildlife – a sign that the Black Death is set to wreak havoc for many weeks to come.
More bird corpses have been washed ashore overnight, as other frightened and oil soaked birds watch and wait.
Around 2,000 gallons of oil seeped into the River Orwell from a cracked pipe at Felixstowe Oil Jetty last Thursday.
The last of the oil was contained by Saturday afternoon, but was fragments washed up at Parkeston Quay, Mistley Quay and Levington are still harming the wildfowl today.
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Mick Wright, warden at Loom Pit Lake near Levington said today: "There are still some very badly oiled swans at large in Trimley, but we are beginning to catch them all. They are covered in oil from head to foot, each feather is coated. It's a very distressing sight. The birds are still trying to preen themselves and ingesting more of the toxic oil."
Yesterday the RSPCA had a go at catching badly covered swans at Loom Pit Lake. Despite their efforts some of the less affected birds escaped.
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"The problem now is that the birds are can fly as the oil is not that thick. This makes it more difficult to catch them and causes more distress to the birds. Catching them all may take weeks." Mr Wright added.
Around 30 swans have been taken to the oiled bird unit at East Winch since the spill and dedicated staff have spent may hours attempting to return them to their pristine whiteness. Another 15 have been taken to a Swan Rescue centre in Essex. Of the birds rescued there have been no casualties far. The RSPCA said that divers, ducks and great crested grebes have also been affected.
Anyone worried about an oiled bird can contact the RSPCA on 08705 555999.
