This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-21275648
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Rescue for birds covered in 'wax' in the south west | Rescue for birds covered in 'wax' in the south west |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Hundreds of seabirds - some dead - have been washed up on England's south west coast, covered in a waxy substance. | Hundreds of seabirds - some dead - have been washed up on England's south west coast, covered in a waxy substance. |
| The RSPCA said it had rescued more than 100 birds, which had been taken to the West Hatch Animal Centre in Taunton. | The RSPCA said it had rescued more than 100 birds, which had been taken to the West Hatch Animal Centre in Taunton. |
| Earlier reports suggested the white substance was palm oil, but scientists were unable to confirm this, though they believe it is vegetable-based. | Earlier reports suggested the white substance was palm oil, but scientists were unable to confirm this, though they believe it is vegetable-based. |
| Many birds were found at Chesil Cove near Weymouth but others are appearing up to 200 miles away in Cornwall. | Many birds were found at Chesil Cove near Weymouth but others are appearing up to 200 miles away in Cornwall. |
| There are also reports of some washing up in Hampshire. | |
| At least two of the rescued birds, which are mainly guillemots, have died but rescuers are trying to save others. | |
| Martin Case, warden of Portland Bird Observatory, said it looked like "hundreds of birds" were being washed up, covered in a "PVA glue-type" substance, while even more could be seen out at sea. | Martin Case, warden of Portland Bird Observatory, said it looked like "hundreds of birds" were being washed up, covered in a "PVA glue-type" substance, while even more could be seen out at sea. |
| He said: "Most of them aren't dead, and if they get cleaned up by the RSPCA, they have a have a chance of survival." | He said: "Most of them aren't dead, and if they get cleaned up by the RSPCA, they have a have a chance of survival." |
| Steve Trewhella, a naturalist based in Dorset, spent the day at Chesil beach. | Steve Trewhella, a naturalist based in Dorset, spent the day at Chesil beach. |
| 'Slick in channel' | 'Slick in channel' |
| He said: "They're covered in this sticky resin. It's not oil, we don't really know what it is, it's clear. | He said: "They're covered in this sticky resin. It's not oil, we don't really know what it is, it's clear. |
| "At first glance they just look wet, but when you touch them, their feathers are completely matted with [the oil], which means they can't clean themselves, they can't waterproof themselves, and consequently they'll freeze and die on the beach tonight if they're not taken away." | "At first glance they just look wet, but when you touch them, their feathers are completely matted with [the oil], which means they can't clean themselves, they can't waterproof themselves, and consequently they'll freeze and die on the beach tonight if they're not taken away." |
| The RSPCA said the rescued birds did initially "not respond well" to the cleaning techniques normally used to remove oil. | The RSPCA said the rescued birds did initially "not respond well" to the cleaning techniques normally used to remove oil. |
| It has now begun using other products, such as vegetable oil and margarine, to clean the birds with some success. | It has now begun using other products, such as vegetable oil and margarine, to clean the birds with some success. |
| The charity said a majority of the birds were found around Portland, Dorset, covered in a "greasy film" and suffering from very sore legs. | The charity said a majority of the birds were found around Portland, Dorset, covered in a "greasy film" and suffering from very sore legs. |
| More birds are expected to be washed up overnight and officers will resume work on Friday to rescue more animals. | More birds are expected to be washed up overnight and officers will resume work on Friday to rescue more animals. |
| Peter Venn, manager at West Hatch, said there was probably "a slick out there in the Channel" affecting the birds. | Peter Venn, manager at West Hatch, said there was probably "a slick out there in the Channel" affecting the birds. |
| He said: "The numbers of birds arriving in to our centre are growing and we are doing all we can to help them - but it is too early to tell how successful these attempts will be. | He said: "The numbers of birds arriving in to our centre are growing and we are doing all we can to help them - but it is too early to tell how successful these attempts will be. |
| "We do not know what this substance is or where it has come from yet but we do know it is not fuel. | "We do not know what this substance is or where it has come from yet but we do know it is not fuel. |
| "It may be by-product from manufacture, but at this stage we just do not know. | "It may be by-product from manufacture, but at this stage we just do not know. |
| "There are also reports of the sticky substance washing up on the beach, so we would urge people walking their dogs in the area to also be careful." | "There are also reports of the sticky substance washing up on the beach, so we would urge people walking their dogs in the area to also be careful." |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it had received reports of seabirds being washed ashore covered in the white waxy substance, from Cornwall to Portland, Dorset. | The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it had received reports of seabirds being washed ashore covered in the white waxy substance, from Cornwall to Portland, Dorset. |
| A spokeswoman said: "We are liaising with the RSPB, RSPCA and Natural England to find out the extent of the problem, and if at all possible, to determine the source." | A spokeswoman said: "We are liaising with the RSPB, RSPCA and Natural England to find out the extent of the problem, and if at all possible, to determine the source." |
| Tony Whitehead, from the RSPB, said: "We're not just dealing with a bird rescue operation here, it's also a pollution incident. | Tony Whitehead, from the RSPB, said: "We're not just dealing with a bird rescue operation here, it's also a pollution incident. |
| "We have had a few dead birds washed up over the past few weeks, but not this many. | "We have had a few dead birds washed up over the past few weeks, but not this many. |
| "More being washed up could be a result of a change in wind directions." | "More being washed up could be a result of a change in wind directions." |
| A spokeswoman for Dorset Wildlife Trust urged people not to attempt to rescue any washed up birds but to alert the RSPCA. | A spokeswoman for Dorset Wildlife Trust urged people not to attempt to rescue any washed up birds but to alert the RSPCA. |
| She said: "Just picking up the birds from the sea is dangerous, then when you add the weather conditions and waves it becomes very dangerous." | She said: "Just picking up the birds from the sea is dangerous, then when you add the weather conditions and waves it becomes very dangerous." |
| Are you in the area? Send us your eye witness accounts using the form below | Are you in the area? Send us your eye witness accounts using the form below |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |