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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Aaliyah Rugg

More dead seagulls found across Wirral in 'strange' incident

More dead seagulls have been spotted across Wirral over the weekend.

The ECHO previously reported that people in Wallasey were devastated when they came across the "terrible" yet rather "bizarre sight" when four dead seagulls were found lined up in the middle of a road.

However, since then, more dead birds have cropped up in different places right across Wirral, including in people's gardens and around both tunnels. It is not known exactly what has caused the birds to die, or why they are placed in a "strange way", but many people have been taking to social media to express their concerns.

One person wrote it was "so strange" as it looks like the birds have been "deliberately placed" for people to see.

READ MORE: People 'horrified' after seagulls found dead in 'bizarre' incident

Bailey Higham, who is an admin of the Liverpool, Merseyside Bird Rescue and Advice Facebook Page, said posts have been "coming in daily" about dead seagulls that appear to be "everywhere". She told the ECHO one woman even found a dead bird in her garden that looked like it had "been placed, not fallen" and what appeared to be a "bullet round".

She added: "The bodies of the seagulls have also been found at the Kingsway and Queensway tunnel, both Wirral side. Some of the bodies have been removed but we are not sure who by. Posts have been coming in daily about it.

'Bizarre' sight as seagulls found deceased, lined up on Wallasey street (Tiffany Stapleton)

"I went through the tunnel yesterday to check if the bodies had been removed, which they had. It’s very strange, I think they are being intentionally killed and instead of falling they are being placed in strange areas, like the tunnel and people’s gardens."

Many people across Wirral have expressed their concerns on social media, taking to Facebook to say action needs to be taken. One user wrote: "How absolutely awful, the birds need to be examined to establish how they died. Its a sad state of affairs that something like this goes unnoticed and yet lovely caring people are getting fined for feeding birds.

"Hope those responsible for those poor birds death are caught before they do any more harm. Our wildlife needs better laws protecting it, we should all stand together and try and get things to change. Lots of voices really do matter."

Another added: "I seen loads the other day when I was driving home from New Brighton. They're a on Wirral side of the Kingsway Tunnel heading towards Liverpool as you come off the M53 to the tunnel. All along that part that goes from 50mph to 40mph.

"There was quite a lot of them on the hard shoulder. These look like they've been hit by cars the way they are on the side."

A third said: "I saw two lying side by side yesterday on approach to tunnel but impossible to stop there. They were on concrete bit below the higher up houses. Thought it was strange then but now very worrying."

Like all wild birds, gulls and their eggs and nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This means it is illegal to capture, injure or destroy any wild bird or interfere with its nest or eggs.

An Animal and Plant Health Agency spokesperson previously said: “We are aware of a number of wild bird deaths in the Wallasey area of Merseyside. These deaths are currently under investigation."

As part of the on-going surveillance for avian influenza, there have been multiple findings of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in wild birds from sites across the country. As a result, people are being urged not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.

Dead animals on highways can be reported to Wirral Council online in which reports are sent direct to contractor Biffa to deal with. However, if you suspect a crime has taken place, more information can be found on the RSPB website.

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