Cause of bird deaths at Ballard Lake in New Milton yet to be confirmed by DEFRA after 3km animal control zone prompted by Christchurch avian flu cases is revoked

MYSTERY still surrounds bird deaths at a New Milton beauty spot after an exclusion zone prompted by avian flu in and around Christchurch lifted.

New Milton Town Council’s estates and facilities manager, Mark Jeffries, confirmed to the A&T this week that results of tests were still awaited from DEFRA.

As reported, this follows the discovery of a number of carcasses at Ballard Lake, off Lake Grove Road and Fernhill Lane on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June.

DEFRA staff removed the carcasses from the site for testing on Monday 9th June.

Mr Jeffries added no further bird deaths had been reported to the town council since then.

The deaths sparked fears among residents that New Milton had suffered an outbreak of bird flu, coming weeks after the Christchurch area incidents.

Two peregrine falcons, which had been nesting in the town’s Priory’s tower, were found dead in May.

Later that month, it was revealed testing by the Animal and Plant Health Agency found the female peregrine tested positive for avian flu.

But Priory vicar Canon Charles Stewart told the A&T last week no confirmation of the cause of the male’s death had yet been received.

Several swans were also found dead on The Avon during May, as well as other bird deaths in several areas within a 3km animal control zone that was set up.

But DEFRA has since confirmed the zone, which included Hurn, Bournemouth airport, Avon Causeway and St Catherine’s Hill, has been lifted.

An online update on Tuesday 10th June said: “Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone around a premises near Pokesdown, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Dorset (AIV 2025/44), the 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been revoked.”