Avian botulism confirmed at Barnes Pond — please don't feed the birds
4 July 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
Dead swans and ducks have been found at Barnes Pond with suspected avian botulism, and Richmond Council is urging residents to stop feeding the waterfowl there immediately.
Avian botulism is a naturally occurring bacterial toxin that becomes more prevalent in warm weather, when conditions in shallow water bodies allow it to multiply quickly. When birds congregate — particularly where people are feeding them — the infection can spread rapidly, causing severe illness and death among affected species.
The council's teams are actively monitoring Barnes Pond, removing affected birds and working to improve local water conditions. Residents can help significantly by doing two things: not feeding the birds, and keeping dogs and cats away from the water. While botulism is relatively rare in domestic pets, both dogs and cats are potentially susceptible.
Feeding encourages unnatural crowding, increases competition for food and degrades water quality — precisely the conditions that allow the toxin to take hold. If you spot further sick or dead birds at the pond, report them to the council so they can be removed promptly.
More background on the condition is available via the GOV.UK guidance on avian botulism in wild waterbirds. The council expects to continue monitoring through the warmer months.