Birds freezing to ice. How can we help them?

The Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Gdańsk reports flocks of cormorants on the Motława River and the problem of dead individuals being found on the ice. Unfortunately, winter can take a heavy toll on species that often stay near water. Birds frozen to the ice require professional assistance.

Why do birds freeze to ice?

For waterfowl, rivers, lakes and ponds covered with ice often mean hunger and the risk of freezing to the surface. This risk increases during daytime thaws, which expose open water and access to food. When severe frost returns at night, many individuals weakened by hunger, old age or illness become trapped.
The winter drama of water birds was observed in the past week on the Motława River in Gdańsk, where large flocks of cormorants appeared quite unexpectedly. Unfortunately for many of them, their stay near the Dead Vistula turned out to be their final journey.

Similar cases are being reported in other parts of the country as well. At the Królewiec Stary pond near Zator, a flock of swans froze to the ice. As reported by the Wadowice24.pl portal, a unit of the Volunteer Fire Brigade was dispatched to the site, freeing the birds that were still alive and transporting the bodies of those that did not survive the frost.

How to help birds during frost?

Wodne Sprawy has already written about how to properly feed birds during winter. Unfortunately, despite repeated appeals, many people still fail to understand that although ducks and swans will eat discarded bread, such food can endanger their health. Grain is best for feeding waterfowl – this can include uncooked groats or oat flakes. In the case of cormorants, the issue is more complex, as these are predatory birds that are generally not fed.

What should we do if we see a bird frozen to the ice? Representatives of the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Gdańsk appeal to first make sure that the bird is not simply resting with its head tucked into its feathers. Concern should be raised by individuals that are unnaturally contorted, unresponsive to human presence, or clearly trying to free themselves from the icy grip.

If a bird has indeed frozen to the ice, under no circumstances should one attempt a rescue independently or step onto the ice. The only correct response is to call for professional help as quickly as possible – this may include the local fire brigade, municipal police, the environmental protection department of the relevant municipality, or a wildlife rehabilitation center. Extracting an animal from the ice requires specialist equipment and knowledge of how to conduct rescue operations on frozen bodies of water.

It does not always have to be frost. The threat of avian influenza is growing

An additional argument for seeking professional assistance is the fact that a dead bird may be a victim of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It affects, among others, ducks, swans and cormorants, and winter conditions and hunger weaken infected individuals, accelerating their death. The virus is highly contagious and dangerous, so contact with carcasses should be avoided at all costs.

The seriousness of the threat is evidenced by the latest press reports. On 19 January in Jutrosin, in the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, veterinary services retrieved 50 dead swans from a lake. Test results published two days later confirmed infection with the HPAI virus. At the end of 2025, highly pathogenic avian influenza was also detected in swans retrieved from the Marczukowskie Ponds in Białystok.

According to the Chief Veterinary Officer, in January 2026 a total of seven outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were identified in the Pomorskie, Podlaskie, Opolskie and Podkarpackie voivodeships. Among the species affected by the virus, in addition to the mute swan, were the cormorant, tufted duck and great tit.

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main photo: Jaworski/Pixabay