Hundreds of birds, fish and other wildlife dying from plague of algae blooms amid nationwide drought

By NICK FAGGE, SENIOR REPORTER and MARK SOLOMONS Published: 15:10, 9 August 2026 | Updated: 15:11, 9 August 2026 Hundreds of birds, fish and other wildlife are dying from a plague of algae blooms in lakes and ponds caused by the nationwide drought. Nearly 250 cases of the toxic blue-green algae known as cyanobacteria have been reported in Northern Ireland's waterways, with others hitting Scottish lochs and lakes as far afield as Lancashire to Hampshire. The latest case on a lake in Essex has left heartbreaking scenes of dead ducks, geese, moorhens and fish floating on a surface of 'scum' left by the algae, with many residents hitting out at council bosses for not taking enough action. Blue-green algae blooms in still water and grows faster in hot, dry weather, its toxic bacteria killing wildlife and potentially leading to illness in vulnerable humans. But while the drought is the primary cause of the outbreak, many also feel authorities managing these lakes and other bodies of water could do more to prevent it or, at the very least, remove dead animals from the water sooner to avoid upsetting scenes for local residents. Water is regularly tested for bacteria and treated where necessary, which should provide warning of potential dangers to come, particularly when a long spell of hot, dry weather is forecast. The latest incident has hit Canvey Lake, on Canvey Island in Essex, a council-run beauty spot turned into an ugly scene of dead and decaying corpses of ducks, geese, moorhens and fish where the bacteria levels have reportedly risen to 125 times the safety threshold with the blue-green algae bloom. At least one family of swans – two adults and nine cygnets – who had become a long-running attraction to visitors, have perished, while every day brings more dead fish and birds floating to the surface. Residents have even taken to removing the bodies themselves because, they say, the council is not reacting quickly enough. Dead animals were pictured on the side of Canvey Lake on Canvey Island in Essex Hundreds of birds, fish and other wildlife have died after a plague of algae blooms A defaced poster calling for Canvey Lake to be saved suggested it was too late after the deaths Castle Point Borough Council, responsible for the lake, said in a statement: 'The results of the water analysis do not require any changes to the current management or treatment arrangements for the lake.' Blue-green algae blooms in particularly hot weather on still bodies of water – but residents are furious that this was allowed to happen. Castle Point MP, Dame Rebecca Harris, said: 'Once again we are seeing heartbreaking scenes that residents should never have to witness. More action needs to be taken now to protect the lake's wildlife over the summer. 'I, and many other concerned residents, will continue pressing until we see both the urgent action needed now and the long-term solutions the lake deserves.' Two of the young from the family of swans were killed by foxes, while the others and the parents were taken to a nearby wildlife hospital. All but three cygnets have since died. Castle Point Borough Council has put up signs warning the public not to feed the ducks and geese and to keep dogs on a lead near the water. It added: 'While the risk to the general public is low, contact with blue-green algae can cause irritation and, in some cases, illness.' In 2022, the town council had to relocate more than 800 fish after 'extreme weather conditions' caused a similar outbreak which killed birds and fish. Hayley Cockayne, 50, who lives in Canvey, said: 'I'm absolutely broken. I'm devastated. I've spent four or five hours with [the swans] daily for the past three years. Residents have taken to removing the animals' bodies themselves after they claimed the council was not acting quickly enough 'I always said this year we would lose all the wildlife on this lake, and I knew it was coming but it didn't make it any easier to accept.' She added: 'You've got not a lot of birds on it and just several floating in it dead.' Pen Centavo, of the Friends of Canvey Lake, posted on Facebook: 'I know how important our local green spaces are, and I am deeply passionate about looking after our community and wildlife. But the state of the lake right now is honestly shocking. There is heavy blue-green algae buildup everywhere, dead carcasses of fish and animals, and the smell was out of this world. 'I actually had to step back because the gases coming off the water started affecting me directly – my breathing got painful and I ended up with a headache. That made me realise just how dangerous the fumes and bacteria levels really are right now, especially for those of us who are vulnerable. 'I've been reading up on the bacteria and the official thresholds. What's considered an "acceptable" safety level is around 20,000 particles per ml. Tests are showing it's sitting at 2.5million per ml – that is 125 times over the safe threshold!' The council statement added: 'Blue-green algae is a naturally occurring phenomenon and is common in still bodies of water, particularly during periods of prolonged hot weather and heatwave conditions. 'Due to the current high temperatures and drought affecting much of the East of England, similar algal blooms are being reported in lakes and other standing water bodies across the region.'