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Public help sought to assess debris hazards for birds


By Lorna Thompson

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A CITIZEN science website has been launched to assess the risk posed by debris such as plastics to bird life.

Members of the public are being asked to upload details and photos of birds which have become entangled in debris or have incorporated rubbish into their nests to the website www.birdsanddebris.com.

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) researchers will use the information to provide insights into the scale of the problem, specifically the species of birds which are most at risk from debris and the areas of our planet which are most affected by the issue.

Dr Neil James, a research fellow based at the Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College UHI, is leading the project.

The European shag on rocks in Stroma.
The European shag on rocks in Stroma.

Dr James said: "While there is a lot of anecdotal evidence about the impact debris such as plastics have on birds, there have been very few studies on entanglement and nest incorporation.

"We hope that enlisting the help of the public through citizen science will help us to build up a picture about the scale and geographical spread of this issue. We can then use this information to inform policy and future monitoring initiatives.

"People from around the globe are encouraged to help us collect information. While users can upload photos of nests to the site, they are asked not to disturb any birds and to take images of nests from a suitable vantage point. Users are also reminded that injured birds can be reported to a local vet, animal welfare charity or independent rescue centre."

Marine debris, much of it plastics, has affected 36% of all seabird species through entanglement – either at sea or in the nest. The problem is not confined to seas; freshwater and land birds are also affected, with 118 species reported to have become entangled in plastics or brought debris into nests.


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