Latest news with #Usutu
Wales Online
20-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Everyone with blackbirds in their garden asked to take urgent action
Everyone with blackbirds in their garden asked to take urgent action There has been a serious decline in the population because of a virus Blackbirds are being threatened by a virus (Image: Pexels ) UK families are being urged to take urgent action in their gardens as the deadly mosquito-borne Usutu virus threatens blackbird numbers nationwide. Ecologists are calling on households to make small changes that can have a big impact on protecting one of the most recognisable and best-loved garden birds in the country. Data has revealed a 40% decline in blackbirds in Greater London since the virus was first detected in 2020 - and with climate change helping mosquitoes expand their range, experts warn the problem is only set to grow. Carried by the Culex pipiens mosquito - the common house mosquito - Usutu virus does not affect humans in the UK, but is often fatal to birds - especially blackbirds, which are particularly vulnerable to infection. With longer summers, warmer temperatures and heavier rainfall creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, ecologists are warning that climate change is helping diseases like Usutu gain a foothold in the UK for the first time. The virus is now well established in Britain's wild bird population and further declines in some species are expected unless action is taken to limit additional pressures like habitat loss and food scarcity. Now, ecological experts at Arbtech are encouraging families to support one of Britain's most common garden visitors, whose numbers are under threat. Article continues below A spokesperson for Arbtech said: 'Blackbirds are more than just a familiar visitor to our gardens - they're important seed dispersers and insect predators, helping to regulate pest populations and support healthy ecosystems. 'But they're under real pressure. Diseases like Usutu virus, which can cause tremors, disorientation and even sudden death in infected birds, are an emerging threat - and many people still don't realise the impact it's already having. 'The good news is that households with even a small garden can make a real difference. Simple actions like planting native shrubs, providing clean water and avoiding pesticides all help create safer, healthier habitats for blackbirds to feed, nest and thrive.' Seven ways to help protect blackbirds in your garden Plant for shelter and food Growing native trees and shrubs like hawthorn, dogwood or elder gives blackbirds cover and natural food sources. You can also leave some leaf litter or logs to encourage insects for blackbirds to eat. Offer fresh water daily Birds need clean water for drinking and bathing. Use shallow dishes or birdbaths and scrub them out regularly to avoid the spread of disease. Avoid pesticides and chemicals Slug pellets and weedkillers harm insect populations and can poison birds. Instead, try to choose organic or wildlife-friendly alternatives. Numbers have dropped (Image: Pexels ) Disinfect feeders and tables Clean all bird feeders and feeding stations at least once a week to reduce the risk of spreading disease between birds. Report signs of disease If you spot sick or dead birds, report it to Garden Wildlife Health or the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), as early reporting helps track outbreaks like Usutu. Symptoms of Usutu virus in blackbirds can vary, but infected birds often show signs of serious neurological and physical distress. Article continues below Common symptoms include lethargy or weakness, loss of coordination, unsteady movement, disorientation or unusual behaviour (like not fleeing from humans), tremors, seizures, and fluffed-up feathers - a common sign of illness in birds). Build wildlife corridors Leave gaps in fences or plant hedgerows to help blackbirds and other species safely move between gardens. Source garden products carefully Imported bird boxes or bee hotels may introduce pests or pathogens. Choose UK made or naturally sourced items where possible.
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Wales Online
Anyone feeding birds 'fat balls' in garden urgently asked to reconsider
Anyone feeding birds 'fat balls' in garden urgently asked to reconsider As the Usutu virus spreads, homeowners who feed birds in their gardens are urged to reduce bacteria as much as possible Fat from the melted suet can get stuck in a bird's feathers (Image: Getty ) Many people enjoy watching and feeding birds in their back garden. However, as innocent as it may seem, feeding birds in the garden, especially during summer, carries some risks and may do more harm than good if people aren't careful. In a warning by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), homeowners across the UK are being urged to reconsider putting fat balls, or suet balls, out in their garden during the warmer months. According to the Met Office, temperatures are set to rise over the coming days, with the first yellow heat-health alert of 2025 issued for four regions of the country. The alert is currently in place for the East of England, East Midlands, London and South East regions of England. Just like people are urged to put certain bird food out during winter to help them survive the cold, homeowners with gardens are urged to be careful about what they put out in hot weather. If you often put fat balls out, then it is time to reconsider. During the spring and summer months, the RSPB says: "Birds require high-protein foods, especially while they're moulting. Be careful with peanuts, fat and bread during spring and summer. If you want to feed peanuts, only do so in rigid mesh feeders that will not allow sizeable pieces to be removed, since these could be a choking hazard to chicks." In terms of fat balls, the charity says: "Home-made fat balls can melt in warm summer weather, and should be avoided." It recommends people opt for suet products that are resistant to melting in heat. People using fat balls in summer are urged to reconsider alternatives to use instead Article continues below While fat balls can be a valuable energy source, they can also pose risks if not managed properly. Fat balls, especially homemade ones, can melt in warm weather, causing grease and potentially harming birds' feathers. Studies indicate that although some birds benefit from fat-rich foods, others may experience lower breeding success when these foods are easily accessible. Inappropriate foods, including fat balls, can create choking hazards for chicks, especially when nestlings are around. Fat balls can spoil, particularly in warmer weather, and leftover food can attract pests or other wildlife. It can also quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. At the moment, certain bird species are under threat as the Usutu virus spreads. Keeping your bird feeders clean is important, as some species face the threat of bacterial infections and viruses (Image: Getty ) The disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, is raising alarms among wildlife specialists in the UK, especially regarding blackbirds. This virus was initially identified in the UK in 2020 and has been associated with a decrease in certain blackbird populations. It is classified as notifiable, which indicates that although it is not a specific virus name, it represents a virus of concern, similar to various other diseases affecting animals or humans. It is advised to limit fat balls in warm months, when they are more prone to melting. You may want to choose quality fat balls made with premium ingredients that can endure outdoor conditions. To cater to a broader array of bird species, it is best to provide a range of food options, such as seeds, nuts, berries, and insects. What do birds eat? According to the RSPB, many birds will happily eat a variety of foods. But here are some of the organisation's top tips for feeding birds: Blackbirds mostly feed on the ground and will eat a broad range of foods, from suet pellets to mealworms. Blue Tits and Great Tits use a feeder, eating seeds as well as suet and peanuts. Finches, including Chaffinches and Greenfinches, also use a feeder, and they love sunflower hearts. If you're keen to attract Goldfinches or Siskins, try Nyjer seeds as they both seem to love them. Nyjer seed is also popular with Greenfinches and Redpolls. House Sparrows, Dunnocks and Collared Doves prefer to feed on the ground and will be attracted by small seeds. Suet balls and other fat-based food bars are excellent high energy giving foods for winter and popular with a wide range of birds. Mealworms are especially popular with Robins and Blue Tits and may attract other insect-eating birds such as Pied Wagtails. Be sure to look for good quality bird food – those that don't include 'fillers' such as dried peas and beans, red dari and wholewheat that birds rarely eat. You can also put out leftovers such as dried fruit, or fruit such as apples and pears. Don't use anything mouldy or salty though, and if you have a dog don't put out dried fruit – vine fruits, such as raisins, can be toxic to them. Bird feeders should be cleaner regularly and any old food removed and replaced with fresh Article continues below Where should you put bird feeders? You can set up your bird feeder in various locations, but try to choose a spot that is quiet and in a place where birds won't feel disturbed. Also, aim for somewhere away from bushes where predators might be lurking, yet close enough to cover for birds to quickly escape, as birds prefer to have a clear view around them while they eat. Also, try to keep feeders in sheltered areas away from strong winds. However, no matter where you decide to hang your feeder, ensure that you can see it from indoors to enjoy watching the birds. Keep in mind that it may take some time for the birds to become accustomed to a new feeder, so don't feel discouraged if you don't see many birds at the beginning.
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sainsbury's change may eventually mark end of an era for shoppers
A pilot is being trialled at a small number of stores as Sainsbury's begins using a system Asda, Co-op, Morrisons and Waitrose are also employing Sainsbury's shoppers could be starting to see the end of an era for a classic supermarket symbol. The retailer is experimenting with new electronic labels to make it easier to change the price. The supermarket chain has reportedly installed the technology in some of its larger stores on items such as beers, wines, spirits and health products in a new trial. Electronic shelf-edge labels allow staff to remotely update prices via computer, eliminating the need to manually replace traditional paper tickets. This also paves the way for dynamic pricing, where prices can fluctuate at the last minute when demand spikes, a strategy seen in apps like Uber. Sainsbury's teamed up with specialist fixtures firm Harrison Retail to create the shelf fixings where the devices will be installed. It was understood that the Witney branch in Oxfordshire was among the first to test the new labels. "We are trialling electronic shelf-edge labels in a small number of our stores," a Sainsbury's spokesperson confirmed to The Grocer. When pressed by the Mirror for more details about the rollout, the chain stated there was "nothing further" to add to what had already been reported. Sainsbury's has become the latest addition to a growing list of retailers trialling electronic shelf-edge labels, joining the ranks of Asda, Waitrose, and Morrisons. This development follows closely on the heels of the Co-op's announcement to swap traditional paper shelf tickets for digital ones across all its branches by the end of 2026, with 1,500 stores set to adopt the new technology by the end of this year. Steven Logue, the Co-op's head of operations, said: "The electronic labels have the potential to enhance product information and transparency, avoid paper waste, and make everyday tasks like picking online orders easier – improving ways of working, supporting our growth ambitions and enhancing the shopping experience for our members and customers." READ MORE: Blackbird crisis: UK residents with gardens urged to take action amid rising Usutu virus cases READ MORE: 'I started turning my driveway into a garden - then a neighbour came round' Lidl also revealed plans to introduce electronic shelf-edge labels last year, following a successful pilot in 35 stores. The budget-friendly retailer claimed that implementing this system would lead to significant environmental benefits, including saving over "206 tonnes of carbon annually through paper and packaging reductions, while ink usage will also be drastically minimised". What are electronic shelf-edge labels? Electronic shelf-edge labels are tags that display product prices digitally and enable price changes to be made remotely from a separate location. According to tech specialists the Barcode Warehouse, the devices are "typically connected via wireless networks, allowing for instantaneous price changes and information updates from a central database or control system". The technology was pioneered in the 1990s and has since been embraced by retailers across Europe and North America. However, it hasn't quite taken off in the UK market, with Tesco halting a complete rollout in 2017 because it claimed "there was nothing new to say" about the technology. Nevertheless, the Barcode Warehouse says shoppers are the real winners when it comes to electronic labels. Its website states: "With real-time price updates, customers can trust that the prices they see are accurate and up-to-date, reducing confusion and improving satisfaction. "Additionally, [they] can display detailed product information, helping customers make informed purchasing decisions."
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Anyone with blackbirds in their garden asked to take action
The Usutu virus has spread through blackbirds in southern England, with the British Trust for Ornithology asking people to sign up to a survey in a bid to save the bird population The lethal Usutu virus—a mosquito-spread disease that's been targeting Blackbirds in southern England—has sparked serious concerns among wildlife experts. First identified on UK soil in 2020, the virus has spread to as far west as Dorset and has reached Cambridgeshire up north. Hailing from Southern Africa, Usutu arrived in Europe three decades ago and has since caused several significant mortality episodes amongst Blackbird populations, according to Bird Guides. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is now urging people with gardens hosting blackbirds to participate in a special survey. The survey aims to assess the full impact of the crisis and offer much-needed aid. While the risk to humans remains minimal – with no cases documented in Britain – the consequences for our feathered friends are drastic. Reports suggest that the Blackbird numbers in Greater London have nosedived by up to 40% after Usutu took hold following the 2020 heatwave. Dr Arran Folly of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has sounded the alarm about Usutu's swift advance and enduring occurrence, hinting it could be a harbinger of other mosquito-borne diseases making their way to the UK. "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK," he warned, reports Devon Live. Attributed to climate change, expansions in mosquito populations are being driven by rising temperatures, longer summers, and more intense rainfall – creating perfect breeding grounds for the insects and their pathogens to thrive in new areas. In collaboration with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), APHA researchers are set to investigate Usutu's impact on Britain's birds. At the same time, the BTO is calling on the public to help monitor the situation by reporting any sightings of Blackbirds. "Blackbirds are currently nesting and are a common sight in gardens and parks. With public help, we can better track population trends and the virus's impact," said a spokesperson from the BTO. Despite Blackbird numbers holding steady in rural and northern regions, the unpredictable nature of the virus calls for continuous monitoring. The combined efforts of APHA and BTO are crucial for gathering essential data to shape conservation tactics and prepare for future emerging diseases. The BTO commented: "We are trying to better understand the extent and spread of Usutu virus and what the potential impacts of the virus might be on Blackbirds. In particular, as Blackbird numbers were already decreasing in London, a large urban area, we want to know if anything similar is happening in other urban areas, or whether these changes are specific to the capital, and how this compares to smaller urban and more rural areas." How will Blackbirds in Gardens survey help? The BTO is conducting a survey to delve into the potential for disease transmission among Blackbirds in gardens, focusing on their congregation patterns. The organisation explained that this research will shed light on how Blackbird populations utilise various garden types and their breeding success across different urbanisation levels. The BTO highlighted the significance of the study in light of emerging diseases, stating: "Although largely harmless to humans, this is the first time in modern history that a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis (a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans) has emerged in wild animal hosts in the UK but, with changing climates, more may occur in the future." They further elaborated on the broader context of the research, noting: "Using Usutu virus and Blackbirds as a case study, this survey is part of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, a wider partnership project funded by the UKRI and Defra to understand the emergence and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the UK more generally which are expected to increase with climate change." Additionally, the BTO outlined the objectives of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, including: "The project will improve understanding of how these viruses emerge in new environments, enhance surveillance of diseases in wild birds in the UK and develop an early warning system for disease outbreaks." The survey is set to run until September 2025. How to sign up to the survey You can sign up for Blackbirds in Gardens online. You will need a My BTO account to sign up. If you don't already have one, you can create a free account.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Anyone who has blackbirds in gardens urged to take 'immediate' action
A public appeal has been launched to protect the blackbird population following reports of a deadly virus decimating the animals People who have blackbirds in their gardens have been urged to take "immediate" action following reports that large numbers of the animals have fallen victim to a lethal virus. The Usutu virus, a mosquito-borne disease originally from southern Africa, was first detected in the UK in 2020 and has been affecting the blackbird population in southern England, with cases reaching as far north as Cambridgeshire. The virus, which made its way into Europe 30 years ago and was responsible for many blackbird deaths there, was also linked to a 40 per cent plunge in the blackbird population in Greater London, according to Bird Guides. Usutu is said to cause minimal risk to humans. The alarming rate of death has sparked concern among conservationists, with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) urging people with gardens and blackbirds to participate in a special survey to determine the scale of the impact and provide necessary assistance. Dr Arran Folly, a senior research scientist at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), has voiced concerns about the persistent nature of the virus, warning that it could be a precursor to other mosquito-transmitted diseases arriving in the UK. He warned: "It gives an indication that in the future we might get other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes emerging in the UK." Attributed to climate change, mosquito populations are expanding due to rising temperatures, longer summers, and more intense rainfall – creating ideal conditions for both the insects and their pathogens to thrive in previously inhospitable areas. As well as the public appeal to help monitor and report any blackbird sightings, researchers from the BTO and APHA are joining forces to investigate the effects of the Usutu virus on native bird species, reports Devon Live. A BTO spokesman said: "Blackbirds are currently nesting and are a common sight in gardens and parks. With public help, we can better track population trends and the virus's impact." While blackbird numbers remain stable in rural and northern regions, the unpredictable nature of the virus calls for continuous observation. The combined efforts of APHA and BTO are crucial for gathering essential data to shape conservation tactics and prepare for potential future diseases. The BTO added: "We are trying to better understand the extent and spread of Usutu virus and what the potential impacts of the virus might be on Blackbirds. In particular, as Blackbird numbers were already decreasing in London, a large urban area, we want to know if anything similar is happening in other urban areas, or whether these changes are specific to the capital, and how this compares to smaller urban and more rural areas." How will Blackbirds in Gardens help? The BTO is conducting a survey to gain insight into the potential for disease transmission by blackbirds in gardens. The study aims to determine how the number of birds gathering together in gardens affects the transmission of diseases. Furthermore, it will examine how blackbirds utilise different types of gardens and their success in raising young, particularly in varying levels of urbanisation, from rural to urban gardens. According to the BTO: "Although largely harmless to humans, this is the first time in modern history that a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis (a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans) has emerged in wild animal hosts in the UK but, with changing climates, more may occur in the future." The survey is part of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, a broader partnership project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The project aims to understand the emergence and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the UK, which are expected to increase with climate change. The BTO stated: "The project will improve understanding of how these viruses emerge in new environments, enhance surveillance of diseases in wild birds in the UK and develop an early warning system for disease outbreaks." In order to take part in the survey, you will need to create a 'My BTO' account, which you can do so by clicking here and selecting 'Register'. Once that's done, click here to go to the survey.
