When I took up the post of Policy Assistant – Avian Influenza at the start of November 2022, things were looking relatively quiet, as captured in our October update from Islay. There had been one significant outbreak on the Isle of Man, primarily among Greylag Geese, but no other noteworthy reports at that time. Since then, I have sadly watched the numbers creep up. As the person in charge of monitoring our data and receiving reports of dead birds, it’s been clear to me that although we have not seen a big impact on a single species and location this autumn/winter so far, we are seeing numbers rise across a wide range of birds and sites. So far, 65 different species have tested positive for avian flu in the UK since summer 2021, with over 80 species affected worldwide. In November, the virus also reached South America.
We have been receiving regular reports of small but widespread outbreaks across the UK’s four countries, as well as more significant numbers of dead Herring Gulls in the Firth of Forth. We also have a worrying situation on Islay, where the numbers of dead Greenland Barnacle Geese are now increasing rapidly. Islay is also the wintering ground for Greenland White-Fronted Geese, which are of particular conservation concern.
There has been a large outbreak at Findhorn Bay in Moray and NatureScot has asked members of the public and goose shooters to avoid the area to minimise the possible impact of avian flu on wild birds. In addition, there have been reports of notable numbers of dead birds, particularly swans and geese, in urban parks, with as many as 76 Mute Swans dead at Hogganfield Park in Glasgow.
Cases of raptors dying from avian flu are also a big concern, with approximately 160 positive tests this year in birds such as Sparrowhawks, Peregrine Falcons, Hen Harriers, White-Tailed Eagles and Common Buzzards. We are also concerned about a number of positive cases found in pheasants after an RSPB call for a moratorium on gamebird releases this autumn went unheeded. The release of large numbers of non-native birds into our countryside during the continued rampage of a deadly avian virus seems beyond questionable. We have been seeking responses and information from governments and relevant agencies, so far to no avail. We will be monitoring the data on gamebird cases to inform and strengthen a call for a moratorium next year if the avian influenza situation persists, which seems increasingly likely.
As numbers continue to creep up, our concern grows for our wintering populations as well as other affected species such as raptors. If the situation continues, our seabirds may be in for another devastating summer in 2023. We cannot allow this to happen. Our seabird populations are of global significance and are already under massive pressure from human impacts including climate change, lack of prey fish, deaths through entanglement in fishing gear and development pressure.
The current strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) - H5N1 - is yet another human-caused threat to our wildlife, having developed through mutation in the packed conditions of intensive poultry farming and then spilling over into wild bird populations. At the RSPB, and working with BirdLife partners, we are doing everything we can to keep our staff and the public safe, to reduce potential spread of the virus, to fund surveys and research to improve understanding of the impact of this disease, and to pressure governments to take the necessary actions before it’s too late.
If you’d like to support our work, you can make a donation to our Avian Flu Appeal.
Although the risk of humans contracting the disease is very low, we recommend that people do not handle sick or dead wild birds. You can report dead wild birds on the Defra website.
Jean Duggan, Policy Assistant – Avian Influenza
Growing numbers have us worried about our wintering populations and other impacted species, such raptors.
Our concern for our wintering populations as well as other affected species, including raptors, intensifies as numbers continue to creep up. Our seabirds might be in for another disastrous summer in 2023 if the current trend continues. breakout game