THE Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, East Lothian has issued a stark warning about guillemots and other seabirds washing up dead from avian influenza.
It is unknown what the extent of the uptick in cases is or how many birds are washing up dead, but avian flu in confirmed to have been detected in many of these birds.
The Seabird Centre has warned passersby and locals not to touch or pick up an injured, sick, or dead birds, and to report any cases to the relevant authorities.
The current strain of avian influenza prevalent to the UK – highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 – first appeared on these shores in 2021 and has had a significant impact on the Scottish seabird population.
The flu has devastated seabird populations UK-wide, with as many was 21 out of 25 regular seabird species having tested positive for the virus.
Tens of thousands of seabirds have died as a result of the arrival of this avian flu strain, according to a 2024 RSPB study.
Of 14 species counted in the study, nine species saw populations decline by over 10%.
Gannets, puffins, and roseate terns were all shown to be in significant decline, but particular concern was reserved for the great skua, a scavenger bird of which Scotland houses 60% of the world’s population.
The warning from North Berwick today, however, concerned guillemots – a type of seabird of the auk family, which contains puffins and murres.
A statement by the Scottish Seabird Centre on Facebook read: “We’ve been saddened to see some guillemots washing up sick/dead along the shore this week.
“Unfortunately, avian flu has been detected in many of these birds.
“If you find a dead, sick or injured bird: do not touch it or pick it up, keep dogs on leads and away from birds, report it to SSPCA if it is sick or injured, report it to DEFRA if it is dead.
“Thanks for your help.”
Statistics published earlier this year by NatureScot indicate that Scotland’s Seabird populations continue to decline despite some short-term positive statistics.
The number of birds breeding on Scotland’s coasts is at around half of the 1986 total.
Much of this decline is thought to be down to avian flu.
There were two confirmed outbreaks of avian flu in Scotland during the 2024/25 season.
The Scottish Seabird Centre has been approached for comment.
