Alert as rescuers find birds covered in oil

From the The Argus, first published Monday 11th Dec 2006.

Volunteers are patrolling Sussex beaches on the lookout for birds covered in oil.

Two have been spotted in Brighton and two in Eastbourne.

Seven other oiled guillemots were rescued and taken to the RSPCA centre at Mallydams Wood in Fairlight.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service plans to cover as much of the coastline as possible in case more birds get into trouble.

WRAS founder and rescue coordinator Trevor Weeks has been dealing with oiled birds every year since 1985. He said: "Every year we see loads of birds die from the toxic effect of oil pollution. The suffering these poor creatures go through is unbelievable."

Mr Weeks said hundreds of birds covered in oil were found along the South Coast every year.

He said the oil circulated year after year, whipped up by rough seas.

The winter months are the worst time for casualties as guillemots and razorbills migrated through the Channel.

The WRAS said anyone who found an oiled bird should not wash it but should call rescuers immediately.

Mr Weeks said: "It is more important the birds receive internal medication as soon as possible. This stops any digested oil from causing internal problems which would otherwise eventually kill them."

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