Avian flu is tearing through seabird populations near Edinburgh and pictures from a recent assessment revealed a stark decline in bird colonies at North Berwick’s Bass Rock.
The Scottish Seabird Centre recently partnered with Edinburgh University to assess the impact of the epidemic on gannet populations, and initial photos from the drone survey revealed a significant decline in numbers since 2020.
“Those who are most closely associated with seabird colonies across the country are undoubtedly find the scale of the impact difficult to witness,” said Susan Davies, Chief Executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre.
“The uncertainty around how long the disease outbreak will last, and which species and colonies will be most affected also creates an air of unease.”
The past year has seen the largest outbreak of avian flu in the UK, according to a government spokesman.
Hundreds of birds have been reported dead on the shores of North Berwick this year, and Davies said the outbreak does have a toll on Seabird centre staff and volunteers.
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“It is not easy to witness the scale of change we are seeing within the Bass Rock colony, or to watch a bird fitting as it comes to the end of its life,” she said.
“These events do create a lump in the throat. However, there’s also hope when we see adults still pair-bonding or new chicks being cared for. These moments of new life are even more poignant at this time and provide hope that the seabirds will recover albeit over a long time period”
Avian flu is a disease that affects wild bird populations globally as well as poultry and pigeons. The disease was confirmed in Bass Rock’s gannet colony in mid-June.
Davies said the Scottish Seabird Centre team will be working closely with its partners to analyse the data collected from the drone survey and understand the long-term effect the outbreak will have on future bird populations.
The Bass Rock gannet population is particularly important because it is the largest colony of Northern gannets in the world with an estimated 150,000 birds.
“Our seabird populations are of global significance with the UK holding 56% of the world's northern gannet population and Scotland holding 46% of the world’s northern gannets,” Davies said.
The Scottish Government recommends that sea-side visitors do not touch or pick up any dead or sick birds they find.
Five or more dead birds, including gulls, should be reported to Defra at 03459 33 55 77.
Sick or injured birds should be reported to the Scottish SPCA on 03000 999 999.
Avian influenza is in no way connected to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Avian Flu is not generally transmissible to humans.
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