Swallow Hirundo rustica

There have been a few reported cases where swans are becoming ill apparently due to people feeding them white bread. This may be due to the lack of nutrients found in white bread. The illness usually leaves them weak and so unable to forage for their own food. The cases are just reports and it may be that other factors such as overcrowding were involved in causing the swans to become ill. Generally white bread probably doesn’t do swans long term damage but you should still avoid using it as there are healthier alternatives.

Swans naturally feed on pond weed and other aquatic plants and invertebrates and will survive without the additional feeding from humans. However, if you still wish to feed swans, brown bread, seeds and vegetables are much healthier for them. Also remember to feed them in water to discourage them from coming onto the bank and to enable them to swallow water along with the food. If using bread make sure it isn’t stale as mould is poisonous to swans.

In Norfolk, the swallowtail lays its eggs on milk parsley as this is the sole food plant of the caterpillar in Norfolk.

The Swallowtail’s breeding sites are restricted to the Norfolk Broads. The Swallowtail requires sites which have a vigorous growth of Milk Parsley – its favoured food plant - where it will lay its eggs on the tallest plants. They can usually be found at
NWT Hickling Broad, RSPB Strumpshaw Fen and How Hill nature reserve.



Any rising of water levels or increase in salinity will effect the growth of the Milk Parsley. However Milk Parsley has the potential to grow in other areas and will move if there is suitable habitat. Active management of fenland, where sedge is cut to allow other plants to grow, plays an important part in the survival of the swallowtail in Norfolk.

Occasionally migrant Swallowtails from the continent can be found in Southern Britain but these are a different sub-species (gorganus) to those found in Norfolk (britannicus).

Trichomoniasis is a disease in birds caused by a trichomonad parasite – Trichomonas gallinae. In the UK it usually affects pigeons and doves (when it is called ‘canker’) and birds of prey that have fed on infected birds (when it is called ‘frounce’). It mainly affects ground-feeding birds but has recently spread to species, such as greenfinches and chaffinches (although it has also been found in sparrows and blackbirds).

The affected birds are unable to eat because the parasite causes their throats to swell and the birds usually die of starvation as a result. The parasite thrives in damp places and is spread via the saliva and possibly the droppings of infected birds around feeding and bathing areas. Symptoms include drooling, difficulty swallowing and regurgitation of food. The feathers around the face and beak are often matted and wet as well. Sick birds often look ill and are lethargic and won’t fly away when approached.

The parasite can not be passed on to humans or mammals but poultry and aviary and pet birds can be affected. While the disease can be treated in domestic birds it is difficult to treat wild birds because of the practicalities involved. However, making sure bird baths, feeders and tables and the areas around them are kept clean it is possible to reduce the risk of birds getting infected.

If you find sick and/or dead birds in your garden then please stop feeding the birds on the ground and bird tables for at least two weeks until there are no more sick birds in the area (it is still alright to use hanging tit feeders). Also clean out your bird bath, if you have one, and leave it dry during the same period. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is monitoring the situation so please report any sick or dead birds that you find to their Wildlife Enquiries Team either via their websiteRSPB. or on 01767 693690 (office hours only).

If the bird has any of the following symptoms – drooling, unable to swallow, wet, matted feathers around the face and beak – then it is likely that it has trichomoniasis - i.e. it has been infected with the trichomonad parasite. In this case, the kindest thing to do for the bird is to arrange to have it put to sleep as it will probably starve to death otherwise. If you feed the birds then stop feeding them on the ground and on bird tables for at least two weeks until there are no more sick birds in the area. Empty and disinfect feeders and bird baths using a 10% solution of disinfectant and leave your bird baths dry for the same period. It is still alright to feed the birds using hanging tit feeders but clear up any mess and old food that falls under it daily. The RSPB is monitoring the outbreak of trichomoniasis so please contact their Wildlife Services Team either via their website RSPB. or ring them on 01767 693690 to tell them what you have found.

For all other problems please contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 0709 for more advice.

The swallowtail butterfly is now limited to the Norfolk Broads choosing sites with a vigorous growth of milk parsley, where it lays its eggs on the tallest plants. Although a rare British insect, if you go to the right place, such as NWT Hickling Broad, NWT Ranworth Broad or RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, at the right time, early morning on a windless day (usually from late May to mid-July and if there is a second brood from mid–August through September), then with luck you will spot one.