Dead white stork. Photo: Ferry Brands
On 16 July 2023, an almost fully fledged white stork (Ciconia ciconia) was found under its nest in Megen, Noord-Brabant. Half an hour before the young was practising wing flapping. The stork was collected by the DWHC in Utrecht to investigate the cause of death.
At the end of June 2023, a roebuck in the province of Limburg was put out of its misery and collected for research by the DWHC in Utrecht. The roebuck had swollen front legs, had difficulty standing, did not flee when approached and was shaking a little with his head (tremor).
By now it is clear that there is an increased mortality in wild birds due to high-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), mainly within populations of black-headed gulls. Halfway through February the DWHC and partner organizations published an article about the signs of this trend (Read more
In both January and February 2023, a Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) was examined by the DWHC. Both sparrowhawks had inflammations of the oral mucosa, and one also had an inflammation of the crop. In both birds these inflammations were caused by the nematode (roundworm) Eucoleus dispar.
At this moment – February 2023 – there are signals of high-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) causing death in black-headed gulls in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. We want to call on everyone to keep a look-out and to report findings of sick or dead black-headed gulls. Roosts and breeding colonies,
This winter, the DWHC has received more reports on dead pigeons. These reports came from different parts of the country. Most reports concern wood pigeons, but collared doves and stock pigeons were also reported.
Foto: Femke Koedijk
Earlier in december, the DWHC was notified of a European polecat found in a rabbit pen. The polecat was still breathing, and it looked as if the polecat was sleeping next to the dead rabbit (see picture). The polecat died an hour later and was collected for post-mortem examination.
