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Concerns over dead birds on Devon and Cornwall beaches Concerns over dead birds on Devon and Cornwall beaches
(about 2 hours later)
Dead birds have been reported as being washed up on beaches in Devon and Cornwall. Dead birds have been washed up on beaches in Devon and Cornwall, the RSPCA has said.
The RSPCA said it had reports of birds being washed up at Port Wrinkle and Whitsand in Cornwall, as well as Wembury and Heybrook Bay in Devon. It said it had received reports of birds being washed up at Port Wrinkle and Whitsand in Cornwall, as well as Wembury and Heybrook Bay in Devon.
More than 50 birds were found dead on one section of beach between Downderry and Seaton in south east Cornwall on Sunday morning. More than 100 birds were found dead on one section of beach between Downderry and Seaton, in south-east Cornwall, on Sunday morning.
Dog walkers have been told to keep their pets away from the scene. Dog walkers have been told to keep their pets away.
The deaths follow scores of other birds covered in a "sticky substance" being washed up on the south coasts of the counties in the past week. BBC reporter Jane Chandler said RSPCA staff were "taking away sackfuls of dead birds" between Downderry and Seaton.
More than 90 birds covered in the substance, mostly guillemots, washed up between Mevagissey in Cornwall to Kingsbridge in Devon. Some had to be put down. Dead and alive birds were also reported covered in an oily substance on a beach at Bantham in south Devon.
Emaciated birds
The deaths follow those of scores of other birds covered in a "sticky substance" being washed up on the south coasts of the counties in the past week.
More than 90 birds covered in the substance, mostly guillemots, washed up between Mevagissey in Cornwall to Kingsbridge in Devon.
The RSPCA said its West Hatch wildlife centre in Taunton, Somerset, was still looking after more than 60 birds.
It said: "Most of the birds are in an emaciated condition suggesting that whatever [pollutant] they encountered has prevented them from diving down to feed for several days."
It added that about 25 had to be put down.
The cause of the substance has not been identified, but the birds are believed to have been covered in the same substance that affected hundreds earlier in the year.The cause of the substance has not been identified, but the birds are believed to have been covered in the same substance that affected hundreds earlier in the year.
In February, more than 300 birds, mainly guillemots and some razorbills, were taken in by the RSPCA after being found covered in glue-like polyisobutene.In February, more than 300 birds, mainly guillemots and some razorbills, were taken in by the RSPCA after being found covered in glue-like polyisobutene.
The latest incidents include reports of dead gannets.The latest incidents include reports of dead gannets.
On Saturday, the RSPCA said that for all the affected birds found washed up on land, it was likely "more are dying out in the Channel".On Saturday, the RSPCA said that for all the affected birds found washed up on land, it was likely "more are dying out in the Channel".