Many thousands of seabirds including grebes, divers, ducks, auks, gulls, cormorants and shags spend the winter at sea in the Channel Islands. Even in a good year it is possible that some of these birds may be found dead on our coastline. However, in periods of extremely bad weather or during pollution incidents many hundreds of birds may wash up on the beaches.
Earlier this year over 1,000 dead birds were found on our beaches following a period of extreme weather in the area. In 2013 we had the tragic experience of PIBs being discharged in the Channel and killing many seabirds.
The sight of dead birds like these is never pleasant but it is very important that we record the numbers of birds and their species in order to understand the extent of the incident and to predict what impacts there may be on already threatened seabird populations.
The birds may have rings or other identification devices and reporting these will increase our knowledge of the birds’ ecology as we can map where different species spend the winter or chose to moult and understand how long they can live.
If you find a dead seabird please report it immediately to Birds On The Edge at birdsote@gmail.com or phone Glyn Young at 01534 860032 or Cris Sellarés at 07700 337077 with the following important information:
1)The species of bird or size, colour of the head, body, beak and feet if species is unknown;
2) The date that you found the bird and your contact details if you are happy to share them;
3) Information on its location (e.g. which beach and nearest landmark such as slipway or café);
4) A picture taken from your phone or camera, if you can;
5) Any rings or other tags that it might have. If ringed, please write down the ring number and address.
This information can also be downloaded here
Thank you for your assistance.
Gull found dead on French beach, Anneville sur mer, 9 September 2020, around 16:00 gmt bird ring : E14796
Dear Philippe. Many thanks for this report. I will pass on to the relevant authority.
Best wishes, Glyn
Bonjour, j ai retrouver un bague d oiseau grâce à un détecteur de métaux sur une plage de l île d oleron. Il est écrit dessus inform museum jersey avec un numéro.
Bonjour je viens de trouver un fou de bassan mort bagué n°F17808 sur la plage de cauville sur mer 76
Dear Philippe
Many thanks for this report, I have passed it on to the Channel Islands Ringing Scheme.
Very best wishes
Glyn Young
Found this morning dead Seagull on Seymour not far from the slip more or less opposite the steps on the tideline
Many thanks for this. In view of the possibility of bird flu, the best thing to do is to leave the bird alone. There are details for Jersey here https://www.gov.je/Industry/FarmingFishing/FarmingLivestock/AnimalDisease/pages/avianflu.aspx#anchor-3 The veterinary department here in Jersey are keen to receive reports on dead birds but are only likely to collect freshly dead ones as it is difficult to detect bird flu after around 24 hours. Unfortunately there will always be occasional dead birds on the beach and it is the presence of unexpected numbers that will be most concerning.
Glyn Young
Bonjour,
2 fous de Bassan échoués dimanche 7 août sur la plage de Omaha Beach a s qd urls use mètres l’un de l’autre.
Le premier était blessé au niveau de la patte droite.
L’autre portait une bague inform Museum Jersey F24023.
Hello, we found a bird ring on Ecalgrain beach, this 24th of August.
The number is F7677.
Inform museum jersey CI
Bonjour, nous avons trouvé une bague d’oiseau sur la plage d’Ecalgrain, ce 24 aout. Le numero est F7677.
Dear Pascal. Many thanks, I have passed on the details to the Channel Islands Ringing Scheme.
Very best wishes
Glyn Young