Oil slick threatens birds' lives

The chicks could die if they ingest the oil

An oil spillage is putting the lives of rare birds at a nature reserve at risk.

Staff at the Washington Wetland Centre said species, such as lapwings and avocets, were in danger after the reserve's Lake Wader became polluted.

The source of the pollution has not been established but it is believed the oil was poured into a drain which runs into the lake.

The oil was found at the weekend in the gill that feeds the lake. The water quality is now being monitored.

The largest nesting colony of grey herons in the region lives on the lake. The herons and lapwings currently have young.

A pair of avocets, protected black and white wader birds, also hatched three chicks at the site a few days ago.

Liver failure

It is only the second time that the bird has hatched chicks in the North East.

Reserve Manager Sue Charlton said: "The Environment Agency has taken samples and they think it has been dumped into the water via a drain which finds its way into the gill, though it is impossible to know exactly where it came from.

"If any of the birds - including the three rare avocet chicks and five young families of lapwing - ingest the oil it will cause liver failure and they will die. We're very concerned about them."

Special equipment is being used to try to soak up the spillage.