South coast rescued oil birds set to be released

Dozens of rescued birds washed up on the south coast covered in an oil additive are recovering well and are set to be released back into the wild.

More than 300 birds, mainly guillemots but some razorbills, were taken in by the RSPCA after being found covered in glue-like polyisobutene (PIB).

The birds were found in Dorset, Cornwall, Hampshire and Sussex.

About 70 of them have now been allowed into an outdoor pool area and could be released in the next two weeks.

Peter Venn, manager at West Hatch Animal Centre in Taunton, Somerset, said it has around 70 more birds which are not yet ready to go outside.

He said: "Overall about 200 birds survived, which can be anticipated for this type of incident.

"We will be weighing the birds who have been allowed outside and if all is well they could be released in a couple of weeks."

Continued:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21497436

Seabird deaths substance 'identified as oil substance'

A substance which has been covering birds on the south coast is an oil additive, a university has said.

The substance - found on seabirds off the south coast of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, and up to West Sussex - has caused burning to birds.

Plymouth University said it was a form of polyisobutene (PIB), which was used as a lubricating additive in oils to improve performance.

It added it was informing the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the RSPCA.

Congealed on feathers

The substance was identified after analysis of a guillemot.

Chemical analyst Professor Steve Rowland, of the university's Centre for Chemical Sciences, said all the data it had gathered supported the conclusion.

He said: "It's very sticky and semi-solid, hence its acting on birds' feathers like a glue.

Continued and video:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21350625