430 birds have been removed from Stonehaven Beach on the east coast of Scotland.
Aberdeenshire Council has also confirmed that a further 126 birds have been recovered from Cruden Bay Beach, about 45 miles north of Stonehaven.
This follows the confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) at a commercial premises at Lower Inchdrewer, near the coastal town of Banff, Aberdeenshire on Sunday (July 9).
A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been placed around the infected premises, restricting movement such as between poultry, carcases, eggs, used poultry litter and manure, to help stop any potential further spread.
Bird flu is often spread by migrating wild birds. At this time of year, a large number of seabirds migrate to the northeast of Scotland to feed and breed.
This is resulting in an unusually high number of dead or dying birds being washed up on our beaches.
Aberdeenshire Council said its teams are “closely monitoring the number of deaths in the bird population”.
However, an Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson added: “The council has finite resources, but we will look to remove large concentrations of birds from popular areas of highest footfall.
“People should be aware, however, that there will inevitably be more birds washed ashore with each tide so beaches may not be cleared entirely.”
It advises to leave dead or sick birds where they are, to keep pets and children away from dead or sick birds and not to touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with droppings.
“The risk of catching avian influenza from dead or dying birds is extremely low, however due to other diseases such as salmonella which wild birds can carry, the advice is to leave the birds in situ,” the spokesperson added.
If people come across more than 10 dead bird in one area they can report the location to the council’s online form on its avian influenza webpage.
