More than 300 dead birds found on beach after avian flu outbreak

More than 300 dead birds have been recovered from a beach after avian flu was found at a farm in north-east Scotland.

Aberdeenshire Council said it had taken 330 birds from Stonehaven beach.

It came as restrictions were put in place around Inchdrewer Farm near Banff on Sunday after the disease was discovered in its flock.

Movement restrictions on poultry, carcasses, eggs and manure are in place to prevent spread of the disease.

The council said its team had been closely monitoring the number of deaths in the bird population over recent days.

Earlier, the Scottish SPCA said it had to humanely destroy a number of live birds at Stonehaven beach for suspected bird flu.

Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Debbie Gibson said: "Sadly, a guillemot and three kittiwakes had to be put to sleep due to suspected avian flu.

"We will continue attending this incident if there are reports of live birds."

A council spokesperson said: "The council has finite resources, but we will look to remove large concentrations of birds from popular areas of highest footfall.

"People should be aware, however, that there will inevitably be more birds washed ashore with each tide so beaches may not be cleared entirely."

The council said the risk of catching avian influenza from dead or dying birds was "extremely low" but due to other diseases which wild birds can carry the advice was to leave the birds in-situ.

It also urged adults to keep pets and children away from dead or sick birds and not to touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with droppings.

Residents can report where there are more than 10 dead birds in an area via the council's online form on its avian flu webpage.

The New Arc wildlife rescue charity in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, said it was no longer taking in sick seabirds due to the risk of avian flu spreading.