Concern over bird deaths

The infection is spread through bird droppings

There is growing concern about an increase in the mortality rate of birds in Cornwall.

Vets at the Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre in Chasewater say a salmonella bacteria infection is killing garden birds earlier than before.

Deaths of garden birds due to the salmonella infection are seen every year, typically during February and March.

But vets at the investigation centre say they have seen a particularly large number of incidents from early November and new cases are still occurring.

The infection is spread through bird droppings, predominantly at garden feeding stations.

Staff at the centre are asking people not to leave excessive amounts of feed in their gardens.

The bacteria can also cause illness in humans and pets, and so people are also being advised to wash their hands after touching anything that has been in contact with bird droppings.