There is a new cause for concern among bird watchers in the UK in the form of a deadly disease called the Usutu virus. This blog will give you some tips to protect birds from it, so you can keep watching them from your Supremo Palermo furniture.
What is the Usutu virus?
This virus is one that is carried by mosquitoes, particularly the Northern House mosquito. They are breeding in this country in higher numbers because of the warmer, wetter summers caused by climate change.
The Usutu virus is harmful to numerous birds, such as kestrels and house sparrows, but the most affected species is the blackbird. Numbers in Greater London have declined by roughly 40% in the last five years, and the virus leads to sudden death.
What can you do to keep the birds in your garden safe from this killer?
Regular feeder cleaning
Make sure that bird feeders are given a comprehensive washing out once a week at the minimum. This should be done with a hard brush and some mild disinfectant.
Keep the garden free of stagnant water
One of the main breeding grounds for mosquitoes is stagnant water, so eliminating this will do a lot to help. This means changing the water in your bird baths each day, but also getting rid of any stagnant water in guttering and plant pots.
Report any instances of sickness
If you spot any birds that seem tired, lacking in coordination or experiencing seizures, contact the project known as Garden Wildlife Health.
Follow this guide to help keep garden birds healthy and safe.
