Sparrow droppings on bay leaves

B3

Next door have sited a bird feeder beside my bay tree. They're not nesting in it but they go in for a dump. ( the sparrows, not the neighbours)
Obviously,I'm not going to pick the ones with white deposits, but if I rinse the others under the tap, will they be safe to eat?
Also, pruning pretty much involves climbing  in. Might I catch a horrible disease? Would a mask make any difference? 
PS. In the summer, there is so much  of it dried on the ground underneath, it looks like snow 😕

Dovefromabove

I think they’ll be fine … I’d give them a good wash and not worry about it. 😊 

philippasmith2

Just wash the crap off - bay leaves tend to be quite - can't think of the appropriate word - shiney ? - but the shit is just on the surface and will wash off easily. 
I've been pruning Bays for years - no sign of horrible disease here as yet.  If you feel safer wearing a mask, that's fair enough.
As for the shit on the ground, just hoe/poke and water.  

B3

Thanks both😊
I hope 'my' sparrows shttt in her garden.

Obelixx

Our flock of sparrows hold conferences in my big bay tree as it's a good place to gather to go the feeders.   I avoid the messiest leaves and then just rinse well the ones I do use.  Fine so far after 5 years.......