TWO dead ducks have been pulled from a pond at a Worcester nature reserve.

The warden for Warndon Parish removed two ducks from the pond at Lyppard Nature Reserve earlier this week.

It is not yet clear what caused the ducks’ deaths but it is thought it could be related to Avian Flu.

Councillor Dawn Merriman, portfolio holder for the environment on Warndon Parish Council, said: “The two dead ducks were found on Monday morning and were collected by our Parish Warden who works for the city council and they were appropriately disposed of.

“We do not know their cause of death, however, we are aware that Avian Flu is present among wild birds and therefore made local residents aware in case they see any other birds which may look ill or are deceased.”

READ MORE: Birds to be culled after avian flu outbreak at Worcestershire poultry farm

The council has urged anyone who finds a dead duck or sees any signs of ducks in distress not approach them.

Instead, you should notify the council by emailing clerk@warndonparishcouncil.org.

Recently, all birds at a commercial poultry farm near Bromsgrove were set to be culled after avian flu was confirmed at the premises.

On November 26, the government confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, also known as bird flu has been found in commercial poultry near Bromsgrove.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has placed a three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone around the premises.

When avian influenza is confirmed or suspected in poultry or other captive birds, disease control zones are put in place around the infected premises to prevent the spread of the disease.

Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, said: “We are seeing a growing number of bird flu cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across the country driven by high levels of disease within wild birds.

“Unfortunately, we expect the number of cases to continue to rise over the coming months as migratory birds return to the UK, bringing with them further risk of disease that can spread into our kept flocks.”