A number of swans have been found dead at a Scottish nature reserve, sparking fears of an outbreak of avian flu. The bodies of the birds were spotted at Hogganfiled Loch, in the north-east of Glasgow, yesterday by a concerned member of the public, who reported it to the Scottish SPCA.
Twelve swans have now been confirmed as having died at the loch, which is run by Glasgow City Council and is part of Scotland's largest urban nature park, Seven Lochs. The council have arranged for the birds to be removed, and have said that they believe the deaths are linked to avian flu, with the number of fatalities expected to rise.
Hogganfield Loch is known as the city's best site for wintering water birds, such as the whooper swan and goldeneye duck. Images taken from the scene show several of the dead bird birds pictured both in the water and on the park's grasslands.
Reports that the rest of the swans will now be culled are so far unconfirmed, but Glasgow City Council confirmed the deaths of a dozen birds. The local authority have engaged an approved contractor to ensure the animals are removed and disposed of appropriately, and locals have been advised to avoid contact with the swans.
Whooper swans spend the summer breeding in Iceland before make their home here in Scotland in the winter. They fly 830 miles non-stop and arrive here around late October. The swans can be seen across the country, including Hogganfield Loch, until early April.
Multiple incidents of bird flu-related deaths of animals have been reported across Scotland in recent months and the latest outbreak is the largest seen in the UK to date. In October, we told how avian flu was discovered on an island in the Outer Hebrides prompting a 3km cordon to be put in place.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza was found at premises in the Breaclete area on Great Bernera, the Scottish Government said. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been established around the premises.
Meanwhile in August, 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.
The RSPB said there won’t be a clear picture of the impact on seabirds until they return next year and assessments are complete - but impacts could be catastrophic.
A spokesman for the council said: “After receiving initial reports of six dead swans at Hogganfield Park, further checks today have identified a total of 12 dead swans within the park. In-line with advice from DEFRA, we are assuming the birds have died from avian flu and it is likely the number of dead birds will rise.
“DEFRA has been notified of the incident and they have indicated they will visit the park to undertake further tests. Our approved contractor is on stand-by to ensure the birds are removed and disposed of appropriately.
“We are monitoring our parks regularly but members of the public are advised to avoid any contact with a dead bird or any bird that appears to be visibly sick. If anyone encounters a dead or sick bird in public places across the city they should report this to our environmental health team through our website or by calling 0141 287 1059.”
Paul Walton, Head of Species and Habitats for RSPB Scotland said: “This outbreak of bird flu is unprecedented in its impacts on wild birds. At least of 61 species have returned positive tests across the UK to date. Some species have been more seriously affected than others. The current form of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) originated in poultry in East Asia in the 1990s.
"Last winter it had its first population level impact on wild birds in Scotland. Around 16,000 barnacle geese died on the Solway Firth – fully one third of the world population of Svalbard breeding barnacle geese. Then, this spring and summer, we saw devastating impacts on Scotland’s seabirds particularly gannets and great skuas (bonxies) – two species that Scotland is globally important for.
"We won’t have a clear picture of the impact on seabirds until they return next year, and assessments are complete, but impacts could be catastrophic. Around 4% of the world’s great skuas were lost on the island of Foula, in Shetland, alone. Birds of prey also appear to be susceptible to the disease, including white-tailed eagles. These losses have been heart-breaking, taking a significant toll on people working to conserve wild birds day to day.
"As we wait to see what will happen this autumn – usually a peak period in HPAI – we are reassured that the NatureScot-led HPAI Task Force is guiding and co-ordinating responses to further outbreaks and is considering how we tackle the national challenge of the building resilience in wild-bird populations through species recovery programmes. We must all see this as a wakeup call for action to restore and protect Scotland’s wild species as part of our national response to the nature and climate emergency.”
Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer, Rachel Clarke, said: “I attended Hogganfield Loch yesterday after a call to our helpline from a member of the public. While I found no clear signs of avian flu myself, I was only able to assess from a distance and this instead would be a matter for DEFRA to investigate. We continue to encourage anybody with concerns for the welfare of swans to call our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson added: “The latest outbreak of avian flu is the largest seen in the UK to date. This has affected the wild bird population as well as commercial and backyard flocks.
“While maintaining high levels of biosecurity among domestic poultry flocks helps protect against disease, addressing the disease among wild birds poses significant challenges. Avian influenza is a disease that affects the wild bird population globally.
“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."
More information on avian flu can be found here.
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