We have some latest news from the RSPCA at West Hatch wildlife centre.
RSPCA inspectors are continuing to rescue sea birds covered in the man made sticky mineral oil. The total number of birds at the centre is:
The vast majority were admitted from Dorset - mainly Chesil Beach, near Portland but also a few from Weymouth, a couple from the Isle of Wight and one from as far south as Cornwall. Two were admitted on the 29th January - then a few more on the 30th. Most arrived on the 31st, 1st and today.
The numbers of the birds coming in have been growing and sadly many birds are being washed up dead.
At South Devon Seabird Trust they had 16 Guillemots with two Guillemot and a Razorbill coming in today, all from the Teignmouth area.
The Environment Agency are continuing to analyse the unrefined mineral oil to confirm its identity – it is white, odourless and globular, like petroleum jelly.
The RSPCA said they expect the rescue mission to continue through the weekend. Manager of RSPCA West Hatch Peter Venn said: “It is still early days and hard to say how the birds will survive in the long-term.”
We strongly urge anyone who finds affected birds to not touch them, but contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.