The Independent

Imaginos · #1 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 01:52 PM

Just heard a nice scare-mongering advert for the Independent on the radio. "Now that bird migration can affect Britains health...."

Has there yet been any evidence for bird-flu transmission outside poultry farms?

Otherwise we can look forward to a big reduction in bird feeders across the country & probably less visitors to nature reserves.

From the RSPB website:

Currently, the UK remains free of H5N1 avian influenza. Even if it should arrive in the country in wild birds, the risk to human health would be very small.

One unfortunate consequence of the hysteria that has surrounded this crisis is that some people have become nervous of the wild birds around them. This is very sad, especially as there is really no need.

As we enter the breeding season, the birds around our homes and gardens become more obvious as they work to raise their broods, and this has long been a source of considerable pleasure to many people. There is no reason not to continue to enjoy them; not least, because there are no confirmed cases anywhere in the world of people catching H5N1 bird flu from wild birds.

digi · #2 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imaginos

Just heard a nice scare-mongering advert for the Independent on the radio. "Now that bird migration can affect Britains health...."

Has there yet been any evidence for bird-flu transmission outside poultry farms?

Otherwise we can look forward to a big reduction in bird feeders across the country & probably less visitors to nature reserves.

From the RSPB website:

Currently, the UK remains free of H5N1 avian influenza. Even if it should arrive in the country in wild birds, the risk to human health would be very small.

One unfortunate consequence of the hysteria that has surrounded this crisis is that some people have become nervous of the wild birds around them. This is very sad, especially as there is really no need.

As we enter the breeding season, the birds around our homes and gardens become more obvious as they work to raise their broods, and this has long been a source of considerable pleasure to many people. There is no reason not to continue to enjoy them; not least, because there are no confirmed cases anywhere in the world of people catching H5N1 bird flu from wild birds.

I got told off in my local park for feeding the birds a couple of weeks back. The old chap accused me of irresponsible behaviour.

Imaginos · #3 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 02:00 PM

:wall: Sometimes I wish we could ban ill-informed news reports.

carlj · #4 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 02:13 PM

Guess it's a consequence of life in modern Britain. A number of us here are photographers, and recent scares about paedophiles and terrorism has caused the "powers that be" to put the fear of god into the public seeing a camera. Foot and mouth was dealt with shabbily according to reports, and DEFRA are deemed to be ignoring scientific evidence in respect of Badger culling.

henrya · #5 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 02:25 PM

Quote
probably less visitors to nature reserves.
Endquote

It's already happening. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust are reporting a big drop in visitor numbers to their place at Welney (Cambridgeshire)

henrya

digi · #6 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henrya

Quote
probably less visitors to nature reserves.
Endquote

It's already happening. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust are reporting a big drop in visitor numbers to their place at Welney (Cambridgeshire)

henrya

Nothing will keep me away until I am banned.

Ollie · #7 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digi

Nothing will keep me away until I am banned.

I second that
Ollie

matt_xyz · #8 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 03:01 PM

I had feared that this would happen, but (naively) hoped that common sense would prevail.

As usual, this hysteria is entirely media driven. I think the media must secretly be gutted that H5N1 has yet to appear. They were whipping us up into a frenzy 2-3 weeks ago and recording every case as they inched closer to the UK. Then it all went quiet. With a bit of luck it won't materialize and the media can concentrate on some other scare story.

Matt

Imaginos · #9 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 03:11 PM

Quite right matt_xyz. My only real surprise is that the Independent has jumped on the bandwagon. The advert was due to the fact they are publishing a glossy guide to British birds tomorrow including migration routes & where the birds are coming from. I really hope that the writers have some common sense to give an independent view without succumbing to hysterics. (Some hope!)

matt_xyz · #10 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 03:20 PM

the Independent is normally better than most in this regard, but they still have their moments!

Matt

carlj · #11 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 03:28 PM

Am looking forward to a couple of trips with out local RSPB group to Bempton Cliffs, etc, and unless Defra insist on closure, am not changing my plans.

Imaginos · #12 (**permalink**) 21-03-2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

the Independent is normally better than most in this regard, but they still have their moments!

Matt

This is what surprised me enough to start the thread in the first place. For the Independent to start playing on the nations anxieties they must be desperate!