Nature agencies brace for bird flu as seabirds return
Nature agencies are taking measures to reduce the risk of avian flu for Scotland’s seabird colonies, as they return to breed this summer.
Conservationists are waiting to see how the virus has impacted seabird populations this year. Monitoring over autumn and winter through NatureScot’s early-warning surveillance network has shown a mixed picture.
Since late December, the number of sick and dead birds reported through the network has totalled 2,800 birds across 50 species. While it is not possible to say with certainly that all of these birds died of avian influenza, this is inevitably only a proportion of the overall mortality as many dead birds will not be found or reported.
Barnacle geese in the Solway were very hard hit by avian flu in the winter of 2021/22 with a loss of 13,000 birds, but that has not been the case this year as the survivors returned.
Unfortunately this year it has been the barnacle geese that winter on Islay that have been most affected by the virus, with 1,190 deaths recorded and local population counts suggesting actual losses of at least 5,000 birds.
Other species that have suffered notable mortalities are pink-footed goose, herring gull and mute swan.
Claire Smith, senior policy officer for RSPB, said: “RSPB Scotland staff witnessed the devastating effects of bird flu on seabirds across our nature reserves last summer. Over the winter we have seen impacts on geese, gulls and swans.”
Scotland’s Avian Influenza Task Force, led by NatureScot, has been working at speed to further understand how the virus is transmitted and what practical actions can be put in place to help seabirds and other species in the event that they are hit by the outbreak again.
Eileen Stuart, NatureScot’s deputy director of Nature and Climate Change, said: “Like many, we are waiting anxiously for our breeding seabirds to return so that we can begin to assess how the populations are faring after last year’s devastating outbreak.
“Over the winter we have seen a mixed picture, with some geese faring well and other populations suffering. The work we are doing on sampling will help us better understand why this might be the case and whether immunity/ resistance is building up in the different populations. A huge amount of work has been going on to prepare for the return of our seabirds across Scotland. These preparations will ensure that we can take swift coordinated action if necessary to give our seabirds the best possible chance.”
Sarah Harris, seabird monitoring programme coordinator, said: “Britain and Ireland are home to the majority of Europe’s breeding seabirds, so our seabird breeding colonies - both coastal and inland - are of international importance. It is vital, therefore, that we have up-todate information on their status and health, and understand the impacts of the avian influenza outbreak on their populations.”
Dr Nick Phin, director of public health science at Public Health Scotland, said: “Members of the public should not touch dead or sick birds unless they are wearing suitable protective clothing and know how to use it.
“The risk of getting avian flu in the UK from dead birds is low but not absent and people should therefore be cautious if they come across dead birds.”