Water fowl bird flu risk

WATER fowl are the bird category most at risk from bird flu, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan has said they do not want calls into their bird flu helplines about every sparrow and starling in Ireland.

A list prepared in conjunction with BirdWatch Ireland of wild bird species at higher risk includes dabbling ducks, wigeon, gadwell, teal, mallard, northern pintail, northern shoveler, diving ducks, pochard, tufted duck, waders, lapwing, black-headed and common gulls.