Recently, there have been reports from residents about sightings of dead wild birds in a few areas across the Royal Borough. As soon as these reports began to come in, we moved quickly to work with our partners to understand what’s happening and to keep a close watch on the situation.

While incidents like this can understandably cause concern, the current public health risk from bird flu remains very low. Even so, we all have a part to play in keeping our community and local wildlife safe. Simple actions make a real difference: avoiding contact with sick or dead birds, keeping dogs on leads in affected spots, washing hands after spending time outdoors, and reporting any dead wild birds through Defra’s online service or by calling 0345 933 5577.