The bodies of more than 100 dead birds and a 30ft whale were discovered on a Scots beach amid an avian flu crisis.
Gannets, guillemots and fulmars were among the species reported to have been found among the sands and seaweed at Ardwell Bay Beach in Wigtownshire, approximately nine miles south of Stranraer. A minke whale was also found on the beach.
Allan McLaren, 33, was walking his dogs when he came across the dead birds peppering the beach. He says he counted more than 50 of them at the beauty spot before giving up.
He said: "I was out with my family and the dogs walking the beach when I saw about three or four of them there all among the seaweed, then just kept counting. In no time I was up to over 50. I was stunned at how many there were.
"The birds covered the full length of the beach at low tide."
Allan, from Kilmarnock, reported the find to the local council as well as environmental body Defra. A clean-up has been arranged to dispose of the potentially infected carcasses and tests will be carried out over the next two weeks to ascertain whether they were carrying the deadly virus.
He added: "I got Defra on the phone and they said avian flu has wiped out the majority of seabirds. I've noticed it too - usually around here there's seagulls and there's none. It's spooky.
"I like to fish and usually the gulls are out trying to steal your worms or whatever. I've had absolutely none of that lately.
"It's a real shame - this is one of the nicest beaches you'll ever see."
The birds, if they are confirmed to have died of avian flu, will be the latest victims in a pandemic that is causing the deaths of thousands of coastal birds across Scotland. Cases of the H5N1 strain have been confirmed elsewhere in Dumfries and Galloway as well as in Angus, Aberdeenshire, North Ayrshire and in both the Orkney and Shetland islands.
H5N1 poses a particular worry for conservationists as it is spreading among seabirds - which take longer to reach breeding age than other birds and tend to produce fewer offspring. Cases of avian flu in humans are rare but not unheard of, with governments advising people to keep their distance from potentially infected specimens.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says it is "heartbroken" by the devastation the virus is wreaking. It has urged locals to both continue reporting finds like Allan's and to take care around carcasses.
Stewart Bain, of the wildlife charity, said: "Safety remains paramount and you should avoid contact with any dead or dying birds, but please report them to the DEFRA helpline. This will help give a clearer picture of the situation and inform how it is dealt with. You can also try to be even more careful than normal about not disturbing nesting or birds.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is taking the situation very seriously and is working hard with partner organisations to progress measures to respond to the reports of increased mortality among wild bird populations.
“Updated advice for local authorities, landowners, wildlife rescue centres and members of the public regarding reporting, collection and safe disposal of wild bird carcases was recently published.”
Anyone who comes across dead or sick birds should report them to Defra on 03459 33 55 77.
A Dumfries and Galloway Council spokesperson said: “An onsite assessment of the problem is currently taking place and all necessary steps to resolve will follow from that.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
