We've all seen the images of sea birds covered in oil following shipping disasters. But this a potential hazard facing birds further in land as well.

From time to time rivers and lakes can also be affected by pollution. This isn't always cause for concern. There is a phenomena known as "urban run off" which occurs after heavy rainfall. Essentially, the rain washes the oil from the roads down the drains and into rivers. The water then gets the tell tale light reflecting film on it and looks like it is severely polluted. In fact this level of contamination is unlikely to cause the birds any real harm.

If, however, you notice a strong smell of oil or the birds appear dirty or waterlogged then there may be a problem. You should notify both a local wildlife rescue and the Environment Agency.

What to do next

It is common knowledge that oiled birds are cleaned using washing up liquid. However, there is a great deal more to it than just this. Birds need a careful regime of washing and may also need medical treatment if they have ingested oil. Their feathers will have lost their waterproofing and this can take months to return sufficiently for them to be released. The bird's access to water will need to be carefully managed during this time allowing it enough access to help the feathers recover but not so much that the bird gets waterlogged and becomes ill or drowns. So, as with everything else, please do not be tempted to try to treat the casualty yourself. Please seek help from a good wildlife rescue with any oiled birds. If the casualty is small, such as a duck or moorhen, you can try to capture it yourself and place it in a secure box or carrier for transport to a wildlife rescue. However, be careful not to scare the bird back into the water where it will pick up more oil and be out of reach of rescuers. For larger or still active birds, it's best to contact a wildlife rescue who can attend with specialist equipment for the capture of casualties.