Oil spill at Nuneaton beauty spot prompts wildlife concerns

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Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency are trying to establish where the spillage came from



A clean-up operation is under way at a lake in Warwickshire after "thick, black oil" got into the water, covering birds.

The RSPCA and Severn Trent Water were called to Bermuda Lake in Nuneaton after reports of a spillage.

Geoff Grewcock, from Nuneaton and Bedworth Wildlife Society, said he feared the oil, initially all around the outskirts of the lake, would kill the birds as the few he could see on Thursday were "covered in it".

The BBC has approached the RSPCA, but it is currently unclear how many birds or other animals have been affected.

Martin Young, Warwickshire Waste Team Manager at Severn Trent, said a team was working with the Environment Agency, but the source of the oil was not yet known.

Mr Grewcock said the local wildlife group was alerted to the spillage by residents on Thursday morning.

"We went up there and looked around - it looks pretty bad," he said.

"A load of birds have been taken out.

"It's quite devastating really. I would presume a lot of these birds may have to be put to sleep."

He said the oil was clearly visible around the edges of the lake, which is several acres in size and home to about 200 geese, ducks and moorhens.

Severn Trent sent staff to the site on Wednesday evening, Mr Grewcock said, adding that residents were very worried about the devastation the spillage could cause.

"It's really, really bad - it's black, thick oil," he said.

"It's come from somewhere and it's very nasty and it should never have happened.

"It's going to devastate that pond. It's going to kill everything."

Comments on the local area's Facebook group, The Arbury, Stockingford and Bermuda Community Page, suggested about 20 birds had been rounded up by the RSPCA, although the organisation has yet to respond.

Mr Young, from Severn Trent, said: "We have a team at Bermuda Lake, working with the RSPCA and Environment Agency to support the clean-up.

"While the source of the pollution has not yet been determined, we will assist the Environment Agency in its investigating into the cause."

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Bird rescue continues after lake oil spill



Animal rescuers are cleaning and treating birds rescued from a lake contaminated with oil.

Officers in boats have been trying to reach them at Bermuda Lake in Nuneaton after a slick of "thick, black oil" was reported by local residents on Thursday.

Severn Trent Water has also been at the scene trying to establish the source of the pollution.

"This is an awful incident," RSPCA inspector Nicola Johnson said. "Oil spills can be lethal so we are very concerned for the wildlife in and around this lake."

The lake is usually home to about 200 birds, including ducks, geese and moorhens.

“We’ve been thoroughly washing the oil off these first three little goslings and we’re happy to report that they are all now cleaned up," said Lee Stewart, manager of RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre.

"Two further rescued oiled goslings, a day-old coot and an adult goose recently arrived. So it’s going to be another busy day."

If oil is not removed from water birds it reduces their natural waterproofing in their plumage, leaving them at risk of dying from hypothermia, he said.

"Because the goslings have lost their parents, they will stay in our care until they are ready to fend for themselves when we will return them to the wild," he added.

Dog owners are being warned to keep their pets away from the water due to the contamination.

Severn Trent said it was also working with the Environment Agency and supporting the clean-up operation.

Geoff Grewcock, from Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, said on Thursday that he had seen the oil all around the outskirts of the lake, which is several acres in size, and feared for the safety of the birds there.

He described the incident as "very nasty" and something that should never have happened.