Politics: Challenging times for Scotland's wild bird populations

Across Scotland avian flu has claimed thousands of our birds this year, particularly in our part of the world in Aberdeenshire.

The last two years have been some of the most challenging on record for wild bird populations.

Surveillance data has shown that in the year up to 30 September 2022, avian flu was present in 34 wild bird species in Scotland resulting in total of approximately 20,500 seabird deaths.

The avian flu outbreak in bird populations has been difficult for us all to watch happen, but there are steps we can take to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Last week I was at the Scottish Seabirds Centre in beautiful North Berwick to launch the Scottish Government’s Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu Response Plan, which sets out a multi-agency approach to monitoring and mitigating the spread of the virus in Scotland.

The plan offers guidance to the general public, regulators, animal rescue centres, researchers and environmental bodies on issues connected to avian flu in wild birds.

In general, allowing the disease to run its course is the only option but the effectiveness of our multi-agency approach to tracking the spread of the virus can improve our understanding of the outbreak and which mitigation measures might be helpful.

I mentioned that the plan provides guidance to the general public and I’d like to use my column this week to disseminate the advice on what to do if you come across sick or dead wild birds.

First of all, do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds you find – wild birds can carry several diseases which are infectious to people. If you find a single dead bird of prey, swan, goose or duck – or five or more dead wild birds of any species – then you should report it to gov.uk’s dead wild birds page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds. You can also phone the Defra helpline: 03459 33 55 77.

The helpline should be used if you want to submit a report without providing contact details.

If you suspect a wild bird of being infected with a spreadable disease, like avian flu, the carcases must be disposed of as a category 1 Animal By Product via an approved disposal route – you can get further information on the process through Defra’s helpline.

If wild birds are not suspected of being infected, it’s recommended that you do not touch or pick up a dead wild bird but instead to leave it in situ. However if you want to dispose of the bird, wear disposable protective gloves while handling it – you can use plastic bags as make-shift gloves if you don’t have any disposable gloves. Place the carcass in a plastic bag and tie it – remove your gloves and put the gloves and the bag into a second plastic bag, to be tied and disposed of in the normal household waste bin outside.

You can also bury a dead bird, but not in a plastic bag. The burial hole must be deep enough to prevent animals scavenging and gaining access to it – at least 60 cm deep is recommended. The burial site cannot be near any watercourses, or likely to contaminate local water supplies.

If you come across dead wild birds on public land, report it using the website or helpline listed above.

However, if you see 10 or more dead birds, contact Aberdeenshire Council at this page: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/environment/animal-health/dead-birds/

Finally, if you find an injured or sick bird you should report it to the SSPCA via their helpline: 03000 999 999.

The SSPCA advises people to contain the sick or injured bird without making contact.

​I’m thankful for all of the people who have been working hard to respond to the unprecedented avian flu outbreak over the last couple of years, including those of you in Aberdeenshire who have reported sick or dead wild birds already.

Please spread this advice with others so that we can all contribute to containment of avian flu and safeguarding the health of our birds.