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Kingfisher dies following oil spill on canal

Rozy Jarrett A dead kingfisher, covered in oil, sits in someone's hand, also covered in oil. It is led on its front.Rozy Jarrett
The kingfisher drowned in the canal on Wednesday morning

A kingfisher has drowned after flying into an oil spill on a canal waterway.

According to eyewitnesses, the bird dipped into the Stroudwater Canal in Stonehouse, but struggled to get out after oil got on its feathers.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust said it understood Cotswold Canals Trust had contained the leak and was monitoring and removing excess oil.

Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) said oil from the sump of a dredger, which sank in December, may have been dislodged by snow and ice.

Rozy Jarrett, who saw the kingfisher fly into the water, said the spill had been reported on 3 December.

Both Ms Jarrett and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust said the leak had become worse since the start of the week.

The section of the canal, Ms Jarrett told the BBC, is near a reserve where kingfishers breed.

Ms Jarrett told the BBC on Thursday that the kingfisher's mate had returned to the spot it died in, and was "screaming".

Rozy Jarrett A sunken dredger barge on a canal on a cold winter's day. There are houses in the background, and people can be seen walking along the frosty towpath next to the canal. There is a large oil spill beside the barge.Rozy Jarrett
A "small quantity of spilt oil", believed to have been held in the vessel's sump, is believed to have seeped into the canal, the Cotswold Canals Trust said

CCT said it was "aware of the public's concern" for the environment and wildlife following an oil spill in December, but said it had been contained after "daily inspections" by volunteers throughout December.

A spokesperson said the trust was working with Stroud Valleys Canal Company, which owns the vessel, and its insurers to recover it.

After mopping up the spill last month and understanding it was contained, CCT said recent weather may have caused remaining oil onboard the vessel to become disturbed.

"We believe the very recent heavy rain; snow melt and flooding has acted to disturb a small quantity of oil possibly held in the vessel's sump," CCT said.

'Reduce any further fatalities'

The spokesperson added booms - floating barriers used to contain oil spills - would remain in place to contain "any further unlikely spillage over the next week for added protection".

New mats were put in place by volunteers on Wednesday.

"We are also taking advice from local wildlife agencies regarding the possible installation of to implement a protective covering over the area to provide additional shielding, this needs to be the most effective option to reduce any further fatalities," CCT said.

Paul Sutton A kingfisher sits on the bare branch of a tree on a winter's day, with his head turned slightly to the sidePaul Sutton
The bird, pictured here before his death, and his mate frequented the area, with a nearby nature reserve said to be a known kingfisher breeding spot

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust said it was not responsible for the vessel or the site, but said the leak had been contained.

"The oil film that has appeared to have worsened over the last 48 hours will be removed today and plans are underway to resurface the vessel as soon as possible," the spokesperson said.

"The Environment Agency is aware and an incident has been reported."

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