Avian flu update - public urged not to visit 23 Scottish islands including Calf of Eday, Swona and Muckle Skerry

Avian bird flu update

Public landings paused on 23 Scottish islands including Orkney’s Calf of Eday, Swona and Muckle Skerry.

Advice issued today from NatureScot is for public landings to stop on 23 Scottish islands, including islands in Orkney, to help limit the spread of avian flu and give seabirds the best possible chance to survive and recover from the current severe outbreak.

As of this week and until the end of August, members of the public should not visit the Calf of Eday, Swona & Muckle Skerry, until chicks have fledged (to help protect breeding puffins, Arctic skuas and Arctic terns).

You can read the full press release from NatureScot giving details of all 23 islands at https://www.nature.scot/avian-flu-update-naturescot-advises-public-landings-stop-23-islands

Meantime, advice remains for the public not to handle any dead or sick wild birds.

Gary Foubister oversees the Council’s Animal Welfare team: “We’d just reinforce national advice to members of the public that if you spot injured, dying or dead wild birds, such as ducks, swans and geese, gannets, skuas, falcons or other birds of prey - or five or more other types of birds dead in one location – to not touch the carcass or try and remove it yourself.

“Report it as soon as possible to the dead wild bird helpline 03459 33 55 77 run by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). They will then liaise directly with us as needed to arrange for removal and testing where required.”

A reminder there is Avian Influenza Protection zone across Scotland and the UK with mandatory biosecurity measures for bird owners. More details here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-outbreaks/