Scots nature reserves closed to public to help prevent spread of avian flu

TWO Scots character reserves are remaining shut to the community in an work to guard sure birds from avian flu.

NatureScot’s Isle of Could and Noss Countrywide Nature Reserves (NNRs) will be shut to general public landings from 1st July to support secure vulnerable seabird populations from the condition.

Scotland’s nature agency will also be advising site visitors not to consider immediate entry onto seabird colonies on other NNRs this kind of as Hermaness.

The measure is the most current in response to escalating issue over the distribute and affect of the present H5N1 pressure of avian flu, especially in seabird colonies.

The virus is prevalent throughout Scotland, with favourable instances recorded in Shetland, Orkney, St Kilda, Lewis and St Abbs.

Large figures of dead and unwell seabirds have also been noted from Aberdeenshire, East Lothian and the west coast of Sutherland.

Wonderful skua and gannets have been toughest hit, with sample surverys demonstrating a 64% decrease of wonderful skua on St Kilda and 85% at Rousay in Orkney.

Terrific black-backed gull, Arctic tern, popular guillemot and puffin have also analyzed favourable.

The selection to limit entry to NatureScot’s two island NNRs has been taken to restrict the unfold of the virus via hen populations and give colonies the most effective feasible possibility of survival and recovery by reducing any further stress.

When avian flu has been confirmed in gannets at Noss, there have been no confirmed scenarios on the Isle of May perhaps nonetheless.

At other coastal NNRs these kinds of as Hermaness in Shetland, NatureScot will inquire people not to walk via seabird colonies but to love the spectacle from a distance.

Eileen Stuart, NatureScot’s Deputy Director of Mother nature & Weather Adjust, claimed: “The choice to near these reserves has not been taken lightly.

“We are increasingly worried about the devastating effect avian flu is having in Scotland, particularly on our seabird colonies.

“Our island reserves in particular are a haven for internationally crucial bird populations.

“The situation has been speedily evolving and deteriorating, and we feel at this time that restricting access to these internet sites, and lessening it at other individuals, is a precautionary but proportionate solution that offers us the finest possibility of lessening the unfold of the virus and its impact.

“We recognise that this will be disappointing for individuals arranging a take a look at but we hope men and women realize that this is about protecting our treasured seabird populations for the foreseeable future.

“Visitors will however be in a position to take pleasure in the summer months seabird spectacle at both island reserves by getting round-island excursions without coming ashore, and at other reserves by viewing from a small length without crossing by colony regions.

“We will be retaining the situation below common review about the coming weeks.”