Cautious optimism for welfare of ospreys, avocets and other wildlife as harbour oil clean-up continues

                                                       

Avocet - regularly seen around Poole Harbour

IT is fingers crossed for Dorset's only nesting ospreys plus avocets and other wetland species.

The birds regularly feed in and around Poole Harbour, part of which has been contaminated by a weekend pipeline oil leak.

There are fears not only that the ospreys' fish prey may be decimated by the pollution but also that their plumage could be oiled as they dive into the water.

Also at risk are black-headed gulls, Mediterranean gulls, shelduck and mute swans, plus the avocets and other shorebirds.

However, thanks to timely action by the Poole Harbour Commissioners, there have been concerted efforts to contain and clean up the oil.

Conservation organisations such as the RSPB are now more optimistic than they were on Sunday when the leak from the Wytch Farm oil field was first identified.

As of mid-week, no dead birds had been picked up though oil 'smudges' have been detected on 15.

Notwithstanding, there remains a concern about the impact both on underwater wildlife and on birds if they ingest oil during preening.

Poole Harbour is recognised as an internationally important wetland site. 

It is a specially protected area as well as a site of special scientific interest.