Stratford swans can be fed again

Published: Friday, 18 February 2022

AFTER the avian flu outbreak affecting the swans on the Avon at Stratford. it is possible to feed them again.

There have been no reported deaths over the past few weeks so it is okay to feed swans again, reports Roger Fox.

60 swans lost

During the outbreak 60 of the town's swans were lost to the bird flu epidemic, which broke out late last year, with the public warned not to feed them as it would encourage them to congregate and pass on the disease.

People have been advised they can now feed them but with caution with the situation being monitored.

It was Cyril Bennis who took it upon himself to single-handedly try and manage scores of sick and dying swans after the Swan Rescue Centre had to close down when the virus took hold at the premises.

Feed in the river

He advises people to feed them in the river and not on dry land to prevent any recurrence of the disease being passed on by wild birds taking the feed.

It should be noted that the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds state that though many people like feeding bread to swans, when it's fed in large quantities, it can cause dietary problems, and is no substitute for the proper diet that the birds themselves will seek out. Grain, such as wheat, and vegetable matter, especially lettuce and potatoes, can be fed to swans.