With thanks to Suzanne McIntyre, Nature Reserve Manager (Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve (NNR) for updating us on the Avian Flu casualties in Caerlaverock. 

“An update on the dead bird count on the Caerlaverock NNR to date.

1098 dead barnacles (700 within the past 9 days)

25 dead pinks – (this number does not include pricked birds)

9 Whooper swans

8 gulls

More recently we have seen ill waders – curlew (died) and grey plover.

Our carcass counts have included other species, but we have listed these separately as we cannot be certain that the cause has been avian flu.

In addition, we have a total of 83 sick birds on this week’s counts, mostly barnacle with a mix of pink footed geese and other birds making up the balance.  

Based on data gathered so far, the die off in the barnacle population around the Solway is 4000 geese, along with percentages similar to Caerlaverock NNR counts of other species. To note that given ground conditions and resource availability this has to be considered an undercount.

Last week, NatureScot, Natural England, RSPB and WWT met with the lead vet at the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Scottish Government contact in Rural Affairs, Food and Environment. It was an opportunity to confirm the totals reported to DEFRA and to discuss the impact and implications of the findings around the Solway; you will probably have noticed a recent increase in the media coverage of the outbreak.  We will now continue direct contact with APHA and SG over the coming weeks to provide die off figures for the duration of this unprecedented outbreak.  It would be very helpful if you could continue to report any dead bird findings, out with the reserve boundary, via the DEFRA helpline – 03459 335577.

If we hear of any guidance or advice changes we will pass these on as soon as we are aware.

Below is a reminder of the links to the guidance to help stay informed over the coming weeks.   

https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/

https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/pages/dead-or-sick-wild-birds-what-to-do/ 

Suzanne McIntyre | Nature Reserve Manager

NatureScot | Greystone Park | 55-57 Moffat Road | Dumfries | DG1 1NP | t: 01738458693 | mob: 07771 848641 “