GROWING populations of feral geese and chickens in Jersey’s eastern wetlands are damaging protected habitats and increasing the risk of bird flu outbreaks, an environmental expert has warned.
Environmentalist and JEP columnist Bob Tompkins said that the presence of these birds around Grouville’s Les Prés Manor is disrupting a delicate ecosystem that supports over 50 bird species and diverse plant life.
He has argued that a cull is needed.
The surge in the number of geese and chickens over the past five years, he said, was being caused by well-meaning people feeding them.
He said: “Not only do they not need feeding, as there are ample natural food resources available, but the amount of food, especially bread, given to them gives little dietary benefit to them and simply drives an increase in their numbers and an increase in the rat population.
“I can understand people wanting to take their children and grandchildren to feed the chickens and watch the geese, which would be all well and good if this activity was happening in a controlled environment, such as a farmyard.”
But, he added: “The marsh, wet meadows and surrounding areas are precious and unique in the Island and as such must be preserved as nature intended and not in the way the feral chickens and geese are altering this once-beautiful part of Grouville.”
The presence of more than 300 feral greylag geese, he explained, had already affected the ecology of the marsh and wetlands by upsetting its “natural balance” and damaging vegetation.
The birds, which graze on grasses and wildflowers, have thinned out native plants, he said, and reduced foraging areas for wild birds. It has also allowed the invasive hard meadow rush to spread.
The geese have also begun to move on to nearby farmland and arable fields, which has led to overgrazing and soil erosion.
Soil erosion, or the gradual loss of soil structure and quality, is especially problematic during heavy rain – which can further wash away the topsoil needed to support native plants.
Mr Tompkins warned that if these populations continued to grow, Grouville Marsh could lose its ecological and botanical value and become unable to support the range of species that rely on it.
“These birds should be totally culled to save the integrity of the habitat and wildlife and return the natural balance of this unique place,” he said.
In addition to these concerns, Mr Tompkins said there was a risk of bird flu.
A recent avian flu outbreak in France has increased the risk of infected migratory birds coming into contact with Jersey’s local flocks in Grouville, he explained.
“The virus can be spread by contact with airborne particles from infected birds landing on soils and vegetation that is then foraged by visiting birds, or them coming into contact with infected geese and chicken faeces.”
