Wallace on the water [Louisa Green]

A SUSPECTED outbreak of bird flu has claimed the lives of two swans on Hampstead Heath – prompting fears its wildfowl population may be decimated by the virus.

An outbreak in the UK is the biggest in recent memory and is currently spreading rapidly, causing thousands of fatalities in both farmed birds and those in the wild.

Heath managers the City of London stress that no confirmed cases have been found – but swan experts fear the worst after the death of two swans, named Reggie and Wallace. Louisa Green, who monitors the Heath’s wildfowl for the Swan Sanctuary in partnership with The City, said she had watched the two swans as they fell ill – and said their symptoms suggested it was avian flu.

She said: “Without a positive test result I cannot say with absolute certainty that this was the cause of death, but in the days leading up to his death, both Wallace and Reggie exhibited the same symptoms as many other poorly birds at the moment, and both died on the same day.

“As rescuers we have unfortunately become used to spotting the signs and, given how infectious this virus is from bird to bird, we cannot rescue any which are displaying symptoms, to keep our vehicles and The Sanctuary free of the virus.”

Reggie the swan

She added: “It was an utterly awful week, watching them become ill and not being able to do anything to help them.” Wallace had captured the hearts of thousands after the New Journal reported how, over the pandemic, he had fallen in love with an injured Heath swan when they met at the sanctuary and were both recovering from injuries.

The pair were inseparable for two years on the Highgate No 1 pond, and started a family – until the death of the female swan, known as Mrs Newbie, last year. Wallace’s death has left his later mate, Willow, alone on Highgate No 1 pond.

Ms Green added: “Her mother, Mrs Newbie, ruled over the pond for four years after the death of her mate, before her chance encounter with Wallace. Wallace had a special place in my heart and Highgate is not the same without him.”

A City spokeswoman said that the Department for Environment would investigate cases if three dead wildfowl were found – but the swans’ deaths had not reached the threshold. “There have been no confirmed cases of avian flu at Hampstead Heath,” they said. “However, during the current national outbreak, our staff are remaining vigilant and following Government guidelines to help prevent the spread of the disease.

“We are also encouraging the public to work with us. Please don’t feed wild birds by hand, touch dead or sick wild birds, and keep dogs away from wild birds. Don’t touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with droppings. The UK Health Security Agency has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to public health is very low.”

Ms Green said visitors to the Heath could give them mixed seeds, non-mouldy wholemeal bread, floating swan pellets, peas, sweetcorn and grain – and that they need adequate energy in order to fight the virus, should they come in to contact with it. But she added: “I must stress, please do not hand-feed the birds. Just put the food straight into the water and always wash your hands with hot soapy water afterwards.”