Urgent Environmental News
Floating pennywort – invasive plant in the River Waveney
Floating pennywort first turned up in our UK wetlands in 1991. Since then it has been spread by people disposing of garden pond plants into the countryside and it is rapidly spreading. It has been introduced into the upper reaches of the Waveney around Diss and is rapidly spreading downstream.
Floating pennywort can grow up to 20cm a day and can quickly cover the water surface interfering with both the ecology and amenity uses of the water body. The plant roots freely in the water forming mats. The leaves are circular to kidney shaped; they are deeply lobed, and 180mm across. The leaves grow above the water and these with the submerged root mass can double its wet weight within as little as three days!
Since 2009 the Broads Authority have been working with the Environment Agency and Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative supported by angling groups and volunteers to attempt to eradicate this species. If you spot floating pennywort on the Waveney please get in touch, letting us know the location and your contact details. More about invasive species .
Advice on bird flu
The Broads Authority advises that the information below is current:
- The H5N1 strain of bird flu (avian influenza) is essentially a disease of birds and poultry.
- So far the H5N1 strain of bird flu has only been found in wildfowl (ducks, geese, swans) and poultry (chickens, turkeys).
- You only need to report incidents where you find 10 or more dead wild or garden birds in the same place and at the same time. Do not touch them. Make a note of the location and type of bird and ring the Defra Helpline 07970 978440, and choose the Avian Influenza option. The State Veterinary Service will carry out an assessment and decide what action to take. Opening hours for the helpline are Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm.
- If you find dead birds (less than 10) you are advised to leave them alone or follow the guidelines for disposal outlined on the Defra website.
- If you feed birds take appropriate hygiene precautions. Wash your hands thoroughly after filling or cleaning bird feeders or feeding pigeons or ducks. You are advised not to let birds feed out of your hands, and again, to wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with bird droppings, especially before eating or drinking. Children should be closely supervised with waterfowl to ensure they don't transfer infected material to their faces. You should avoid direct contact with wild ducks/swans and particularly if they are ill or dead.
- Remember the risk to human health only arises in people with very close contact with infected birds.
- For further information check Norfolk County Council website www.norfolk.gov.uk or the Defra website.
