Bird flu found in dead nesting peregrine falcon

The female peregrine (pictured) died on 6 May

Tests on a pair of nesting peregrine falcons that died within days of each other have confirmed the female was infected with avian influenza.

The pair had settled at the top of Christchurch Priory, Dorset, with three eggs laid. The female died on 6 May and the male two days later, with the eggs not found to be viable.

A spokesperson for the priory said it had not yet been officially notified about the cause of death for the male peregrine.

A 3km (1.8-mile) controlled zone to help prevent the spread of the disease is in place between Kings Park, Boscombe, and just north of Bournemouth Airport.

A controlled zone has been declared in the area

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said all keepers of birds, including poultry, inside and outside of the zone must register them to help prevent the spread of disease.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was also confirmed in captive birds on Sunday at a premises near Pokesdown.

The affected birds would be be humanely culled, Defra added.