Cleethorpes PUFFIN

Thanks for the response Phil. I am pleased that someone (you) has brought it to their attention and I really hope the CWR have tested the Puffin for it. I found it odd that there was so much coverage on social media/news platforms... yet no mention or consideration that AF was a possibility.

Hi Nick.  Apologies if this appears twice, as the first attempt did seem to send.    By chance, I met with CWR straight after he’d been to the vets with the puffin.   I’d been called to find the injured Freshney swan that is now on CWR’s facebook page.   He later messaged that the swan couldn’t go to the intended specialist swan hospital for an op because avian flu was near to the hospital (I don’t know their location).  I offer no opinion regarding the particular puffin, and can only say that CWR, from the above story, are aware of bird flu.   I’m a volunteer for 2 smaller rescues and will be giving them a heads up that the flu continues to spread, is in Lincs, and that we volunteers need to be more aware of it.     

Good point, Nick. The Facebook report gives no indication that the bird was tested for avian flu by the vet, nor that this possibility has been considered by Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue.

The CWR photo (attached) doesn't give much cause for optimism.There's no sparkle in the eye.

On the subject of avian flu, I wonder the extent (if any) to which it might be affecting passerines whose mortalities would not be as conspicuous as those of seabirds. 

So, builders find a crash landed Puffin on a building site. It was previously seen flapping about in the marshes earlier, but a woman couldn't get near it because she had a dog with her. Anyway, said puffin was taken to a vet, who checked it for broken bones and parasites before giving it the OK. It is now in the hands of Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue centre.
There are pictures of it on their FB page, and lots of comments about it being cute, adorable etc.
Now, I don't want to be a doomsayer... but having recently found a rather sad looking Guillemot on Cleethorpes beach, and knowing about the Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake at Deeping.. why has nobody thought to check it for Avian flu?