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Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2024/11/islands-seabird-flu-deaths/
Island’s Seabird Flu Deaths
By George Mair -
November 27, 2024 8:25 am 58
Endangered gulls found dead on one of Scotland’s most important seabird islands, in the Firth of Forth, have tested positive for avian flu.
The great black-backed gulls were sent for tests last month after eight were found dead on the Isle of May.
It is the first time the deadly H5N5 strain has been recorded on the island, which is a national nature reserve (NNR) run by NatureScot.
The great black-backed gull is the world’s largest gull with a wingspan up to 1.7 metres.
It was recently added to the UK Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. The Scottish population has declined by 63% since 2000.
Species on the Isle of May including kittiwakes, guillemots and Arctic terns have suffered from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in recent years, but this summer the island was “bird flu free”.
David Steel, NatureScot’s reserve manager on the island, said: “In early October, eight Great Black-backed Gulls were discovered dead on Rona, the northern part of the Isle of May...
Island’s Seabird Flu Deaths
By George Mair -
November 27, 2024 8:25 am 58
Endangered gulls found dead on one of Scotland’s most important seabird islands, in the Firth of Forth, have tested positive for avian flu.
The great black-backed gulls were sent for tests last month after eight were found dead on the Isle of May.
It is the first time the deadly H5N5 strain has been recorded on the island, which is a national nature reserve (NNR) run by NatureScot.
The great black-backed gull is the world’s largest gull with a wingspan up to 1.7 metres.
It was recently added to the UK Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. The Scottish population has declined by 63% since 2000.
Species on the Isle of May including kittiwakes, guillemots and Arctic terns have suffered from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in recent years, but this summer the island was “bird flu free”.
David Steel, NatureScot’s reserve manager on the island, said: “In early October, eight Great Black-backed Gulls were discovered dead on Rona, the northern part of the Isle of May...