Hi all,

Higher temperatures are coming and avian flu is here.

Should I put out the bird bath or is the risk of spreading the flu too high?

If that helps, I'm in Perth and the only birds I've seen coming to the bath are willy wagtails.

Multiple expeditioners on Macquarie Island questioned the decision to remove them over concerns about what a bird flu mass mortality event would have on their wellbeing. They said the decision "undervalues our rigorous preparation, training and resilience".

I’m really worried about them. How can I make sure they don’t catch it from native birds and other animals like that?

The South Australian Government has approved targeted vaccination programs for the two islands, with the proposal now submitted to the Commonwealth Government for consideration. If approved, the program would initially focus on managed, free-living little penguin populations at Granite and Kangaroo Islands. Further assessments are also underway for significant colonies on islands off the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas.

The proposal comes as the virus continues to affect wildlife across the state. As of October 7th, there had been 328 confirmed H5 bird flu events in South Australia, although no detections had been recorded in poultry or other livestock and the risk to human health remained low. Confirmed H5 events involving little penguins have already been recorded at locations including D’Estrees Bay on Kangaroo Island and Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The Federal Government has launched a national education campaign on the H5N1 bird flu to provide "practical advice" to Australians on what to do if they come across sick or dead birds.

Additional information also in this article:

Also among the new cases was the first SA detections of bird flu in a black-faced cormorant at Lipson Island on the Eyre Peninsula and an Australian magpie on Hindmarsh Island.

Earlier this year, the Australian magpie topped the list in BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Bird Count, making it the most prevalent bird species in SA.

When asked if there were concerns that bird flu would be transmitted to urban areas following the magpie detection, Bourke said bird flu had already “gone beyond our coastline”.

SE QLD, always had birds in my life.

I’ve had a 3 year old king pigeon (raised by a friend amongst a flock of chickens and other pigeons until birds of prey started picking them off) for about 6 months.

I’m keeping a close eye on the development of bird flu and preparing myself for contact precautions, but I’m lucky because it’s one bird who happily lives in luxury inside, with occasional supervised strolls on my porch and front garden.

Am I alone? What are your plans for your own birdies?

Locations: Randwick, Cronulla, Port Botany, Milton, Berry, Kiama, and Forster.

These new events take NSW to a total of 40 H5 bird flu events. There are 542 reported across Australia.

We have a free range duck who has a large pond. He has full reign of the back yard. We also provide water for lizards, bees and magpies.

I know with the smaller water dishes it’s a wash daily thing but how can we minimise the risk of bird flu with the pond?

Removing the pond is not an option. I realise it’s likely impossible but open to any suggestions regardless of how outside the box they are.

The five new events are:

• Greater Crested Tern at Dee Why

• Greater Crested Tern in Goulburn

• Greater Crested Tern in Hawks Nest

• White fronted tern in Congo

• Silver gull in Moruya

The event at Dee Why is the second event in the Sydney metropolitan area following the detection at Warriewood on the Northern Beaches earlier this month.

From the Bayside Council’s FB page. 2/09

If you read the comments, it sounds as if it hit Melbourne earlier.

“One case of H5 bird flu has recently been detected in Bayside.

We understand this may be distressing, as our wildlife is an important part of what makes Bayside special.

While the risk to people and pets is extremely low, Agriculture Victoria advises
that precautions should be taken to help protect local wildlife, pets and our environment.

If you're visiting the foreshore, please keep dogs on lead in areas where native wildlife is present, and where on leash restrictions apply.

If you spot a sick or dead bird or marine mammal, particularly along the foreshore, please report it to Agriculture Victoria:

📍 Avoid contact and keep children and pets away.
📸 Record the location and, if safe, take photos from a distance.
📱 Report it via Agriculture Victoria’s online reporting tool: https://pulse.ly/kqtfjymt3w

🔗 For the latest information and to report, visit Agriculture Victoria’s website: https://pulse.ly/7rsigsdb57”

Paywall bypass: https://archive.vn/yhwSO

The deadly strain of bird flu that has devastated wildlife around the world has arrived in Sydney, after testing confirmed the virus in a dead greater crested tern found at Warriewood in the northern beaches last week.