On this podcast we talk to David Steel. David works with seabirds on the Isle of May and as such is well placed to talk about the spread of Avian Influenza through our seabird colonies, which species we should be most concerned about, and why we might remain hopeful. After this, David tells us where (or when, I guess!) he'd go if he had one go in a time machine, shares some of the best birding advice he's been given, and toys with the idea of putting Northumberland seawatchers into a birding room 101....

SOC

SOC website - https://www.the-soc.org.uk/

Branches – what’s going on near you? https://www.the-soc.org.uk/local-branches

What’s coming up at Waterston house? https://www.the-soc.org.uk/about-us/art-gallery

Credits

Many thanks to Xeno Canto for allowing access to the library of recordings, and in particular, the following recorders who’s Redshank and Greenshank calls were used.

Xeno-canto - https://xeno-canto.org/

Stanislas Wroza -XC588469 Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) :: xeno-canto

Peter Boesman - XC640465 Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) :: xeno-canto

Avian Influenza

If you find any single dead or dying raptors, geese, ducks or swans, or groups of five or more dead birds of any species, please note:

DO NOT TOUCH the birds

Please report the bird(s) to DEFRA, using the phone number 03459 33 55 77.

Be prepared to give some details of the location – a grid reference or what3words can be helpful.

The purpose of this GB Wild Bird Surveillance Scheme is to capture information on the general location and strains of avian influenza that might be prevalent in the UK. This data then helps government build up a picture of the current risks, and shapes how they then respond in policy terms. The scheme does not attempt to identify every bird with HPAI in the UK, nor even within a specific area. Indeed, further birds will not be tested within a 10 km radius and within a fortnight of an original positive finding.' As such, there will be many reports of dead birds that will appear not to have been responded to. Please do not assume your information has been ignored, and please do continue to report dead birds (as requested above) for as long as this outbreak of Avian Flu persists.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/pages/dead-or-sick-wild-birds-what-to-do/#:~:text=Report%20an%20injured%20animal%20to%20the%20Scottish%20Society,pass%20to%20humans%20but%20this%20is%20very%20rare.

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