Beachgoers urged to report dead birds
Nearly 70 UK bird species have been affected by the outbreak.
As people visit the coast this summer, avian influenza experts are urging the public to help them monitor the spread of the disease by reporting any dead or sick bird they see to Defra (or DAERA in Northern Ireland) and to log the sighting on the BirdTrack app.
It comes as large numbers of seabirds are being reported found washed up on beaches as the outbreak of avian influenza which began in the UK in 2021 continues to significantly affect wild bird populations. Almost 70 UK bird species have tested positive, according to the RSPB.
In recent weeks, hundreds of dead seabirds, mostly guillemots, but also some razorbills and gannets, have been washed up on the Pembrokeshire coast. Testing from a sample of the birds confirmed avian influenza.
It is a story that is being repeated around the coastline of the UK. Last week, NatureScot recorded the deaths of 1,443 guillemots, 1,570 kittiwakes and 236 herring gulls suspected to have been caused by the virus.
Members of the public should not handle dead or sick birds, but report any that they see. Once reported, Defra or DAERA will decide whether to collect the dead bird for testing and researchers will use the data from BirdTrack to study the geographical spread of the disease.
Dawn Balmer, the British Trust for Ornithology’s head of surveys, said: “As our beaches get busier over the summer holidays, do look out for dead birds, report them and keep your dogs on leads and away from carcasses. It’s devastating to see the impact of avian influenza again this year. You can help us monitor the situation by continuing to report dead birds to Defra (GB) and DAERA (NI), and also to BirdTrack.”
Nick Ward, Natural England’s principal advisor for highly pathogenic avian influenza, added: “Avian influenza has again had a big impact on many of our important seabird colonies in England affecting chicks and adults in different proportions. Future monitoring will be crucial for assessing the lasting effects of these mortality events.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
