Seabird colony on Isle of May wiped out after bird flu outbreak

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An iconic seabird colony on the Isle of May has suffered a devastating wipe out due to avian flu, it has emerged.Harrowing images from the island in the Firth of Forth have revealed scores of birds killed by the disease amid a new outbreak chiefly affecting kittiwakes.It comes just three months after the stunning site, which is also a National Nature Reserve (NNR), reopened to the public after a prolonged lockdown to protect birds from the virus.The world’s worst ever avian influenza epidemic broke out last year with 97million birds killed globally, including thousands of native Scots species like gannets and great skuas.But hopes of recovery have been dashed as a new wave of the killer disease has ravaged seabird populations along the east coast in June.More than 300 kittiwakes have been found dead on the Isle of May with frontline experts confirming the virus had returned in line with a “surge of cases” Scotland-wide.In a blog on the Isle of May NNR website, reserve manager David Steel said there had been an “escalation” of infections in recent days.He wrote: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus (known as bird flu) has been confirmed on the Isle of May.

It was with us last year, and it was predicted to be back this year, and it is…“This year we have been expecting it and as a result we have been taking extra precautions with biosecurity measures for visitors as well as full PPE for anyone working with the birds on the island this year. "Although all appeared well at the start, over the last 7-10 days we’ve seen an escalation of cases as it spreads down the east coast.“On the island it appears to be mainly affecting our Kittiwakes with confirmation that HPAI is present in the population.”Mr Steel added: “It’s