Bird flu

Feeding ducks and swans

Duck on the water at Virginia Water

We strongly encourage anyone visiting our parks to refrain from feeding wild ducks, geese and other birds to help prevent the further spread of Bird flu. Large gatherings of birds when feeding them make transmission of the virus more likely.

There are number of precautions people can take to avoid contact with a bird with bird flu

  • When walking along the riverside, keep to footpaths and keep dogs on leads
  • Do not feed wild waterfowl such as ducks, swans and geese
  • Do not pick up or touch dead or sick wild birds
  • Do not touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings

Report dead wild birds

Call Defra on 03459 33 55 77 if you find

  • one or more dead birds of prey
  • 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
  • 5 or more dead birds of any species

Do not touch or pick up a dead or visibly sick wild bird

More information can be found on the government website

Bird flu

Dead birds in our parks and open spaces can be reported by using the online form

Report a dead bird
Swan on the water