Thank you to Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve (NNR) Manager, Suzanne McIntyre for the recent update about Avian Flu on the reserve…

 

“There have been reports in the paper of a slowdown at some sites, on the reserve we are finding sufficient evidence of fresh deaths to still be cautious about predicting the trend.

On NatureScot managed reserve area,  329 dead barnacle, counted 10th/11th January,  of which 256 immediately onshore from the Blackshaw roost – of this total at least 25% are freshly dead birds,  the rest probably from the last ten days of December and early January – we have been able to match against and exclude any previously counted (spray painted) carcases.

WWT managed area – 36 dead barnacle – counted 5th January

On Browwell to Moss-side boundary of the reserve 56 dead barnacle

Counts also included other dead species – 12 pink footed geese and ones or twos of wader, gull, carrion crow, kestrel across the count areas.

In November and December we were finding the carcasses out on the merse edge and on the mud, most of the carcasses were found this week were on the high tide line.   

We are aiming to continue counts over the coming months as the Animal and Plant Health Agency are keen to receive data on current numbers and any expected spike in the later winter months.”