The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Farne Islands reopen to public
HERD IMMUNITY HOPES FOR SEABIRDS HIT BY AVIAN FLU
“We’re really excited to get people on the island again. The seabirds are only just arriving back to the islands but during May it will be peak breeding season and there’ll be a lot more, we’re expecting thousands of birds in the coming months.”
The National Trust will continue to monitor the population and has measures in place to prevent the spread of bird flu. The charity now requires all visitors to disinfect their shoes before heading onto the boardwalk around Inner Farne,
while waterproof clothing is recommended to easily wipe off any rogue bird poo.
However, the disease has not gone away - though Sophia says there is no risk to humans. The National Trust’s countryside manager, Ian Clemmett, says that we have to learn to live with the disease.
He said: “It’s here to stay but hopefully the amount of deaths will be much less. It’s decreased last year from the previous year, and globally there are far fewer instances. Even
though it’s spread around the world, it’s spread thinner. We’re hoping for some herd immunity now.”
It is hoped that the islands will remain open for the entirety of the summer season. Ian continued: “Our hope of course, the ideal hope, is that there’s no Avian flu whatsoever.
“But if it does return, and we’re expecting that it will in some shape or form, that it won’t wholly affect us in any particular way, so we will continue to be open and let people onto the islands. Our bottom line is that we don’t want to allow people onto the islands if there are lots of dead and dying birds, as nobody wants to come and see the birds suffering.
“But we’re very hopeful that we’ll get through it and remain open for the whole season. We’d love that to happen.”
Another hope for the National Trust is that they will be able to show more of the culture and history of the Farnes alongside their stunning natural offer. St Cuthbert’s Chapel stands on the island alongside Prior Castle’’s Tower, a Pele Tower which dates back to the 14th century.
Area Ranger Sophie said: “There’s an amazing historic story to the Farne Islands, St Cuthbert came here as a hermit, and we’re hoping to involve that more into the visitor journey some more and showcase that side too.”
Inner Farne is the only island open to visitor landings this year while the National Trust trials limited opening.