A dog walker says she spotted 62 dead birds with dozens of sick birds ‘gasping for breath’ amidst a horror scene on an Ayrshire beach.
Sandra McDerment was visiting Maidens beach with her husband Jim and two cocker spaniels when she came across the grim discovery of stricken birds on Thursday.
It comes as a bird flu warning was issued by two councils who were working to clean up beaches of infected animals.
The pair were walking along to Culzean beach when they were stunned to find tens of deceased birds dotted across the shore.
Sandra has told how they began counting after their dogs sniffed out one or two and were stunned to see so many.
Sandra told Ayrshire Live: “It was horrible when we go out a walk with the dogs we sometimes spot one or two dead sea gulls.
“But this was just bird, after bird, after bird. To have so many dead birds en masse like that was awful to see.
“In half a mile we counted 62 we only walked along the beach we could see there was more on the other side when we got to the entrance at Culzean. There was literally hundreds.
“We saw about half a dozen birds who were still alive and they were gasping for air, it was so distressing, there was absolutely nothing you could do.
“You were seeing them taking their last breath, their beaks were open and they just couldn’t move.”
Sandra immediately reported the grim find to DEFRA who are dealing with outbreaks across the country.
Sandra has urged other dog walkers or parents with young children to be aware if they sea any dead birds on beaches.
Sandra added: “The minute we saw there was loads of dead birds we worried it might be bird flu and put our dogs on a leash.
“We saw there was young children playing with a ball, we don’t know how far they went along the beach but they need to be careful.
“You don’t want your dog or child going near sick birds.”
South Ayrshire Council have warned the public to stay away from wild or sick birds to prevent the spread of bird flu.
Council posters have appeared across beaches to warn visitors.
What South Ayrshire Council are advising:
- Don’t touch any wild or sick birds you may come across
- Keep dogs and other animals away from the birds
- Avoid feeding wild birds, as this causes them to congregate and may encourage the spread of the disease
- Do not touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings
- If you keep poultry or other birds, wash your hands and clean and disinfect your footwear before tending to your birds
- Please report any sightings to our Waste Management team on 0300 123 0900
DEFRA were unable to confirm or deny if they had received a report from Maidens beach.
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