Fife Council has issued a warning to people visiting its beaches after dozens of dead seabirds washed up on its shores amid fears over the spread of bird flu.
Dog walkers in Levenmouth, Lower Largo, St. Andrews and Kirkcaldy, as well as wild swimmers, have all reported seeing dead and seriously ill gannets on the shore.
Government agency Defra UK were contacted about the dead creatures in parts of Fife and are currently investigating the cause.
Fife Council has urged beachgoers not to touch dead or ill birds and have also told dog owners to keep their pets away from any birds.
The public have also been asked to report any dead birds to the Defra's hotline.
The owner of Pets on the Beach, a dog walking service in Fife, came across four dead birds in a small area on Lower Largo Beach on Wednesday.
She told the Record: "Others have told me they have come across at least a dozen in Leven too.
"I rang Defra and they took them away to do a post-mortem and I'm just avoiding the area until the situation is assessed more."
Dead birds have also been found in other parts of Scotland in recent days.
The National Trust for Scotland confirmed a 'significant' number of the Great Skua population has died in recent days.
On the charity's count, a total of 104 birds have died from Avian Flu this season.
On the latest findings in Fife, the council said: "Fife Council is working with partner agencies following reports of dead seabirds off the Fife coast and elsewhere in Scotland. There's a risk that dead or ill sea birds may appear on Fife shores. At this time Avian Influenza hasn't been ruled out.
"It's important that you: Don't pick up or touch dead or sick wild birds, keep pets/dogs away from any dead or sick birds, don't feed wild waterfowl.
"Don't 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 Report any dead wild waterfowl to Defra's hotline: 03459 335577.
"If you find a live but ailing bird call the SSSPCA: 03000 999 999 ".
