The National Trust has announced it will close the Farne Islands from Sunday July 3 due to the impact of the spread of Avian Influenza (AI) on its seabird colonies.
Avian Influenza, better known as bird flu, was first discovered in UK domestic bird populations last winter and is now impacting wild birds, with infection proving to be fatal. In recent weeks, dead birds have been found at several locations on the Northumberland Coast including Bamburgh Beach, Druridge Bay and Warkworth Beach, with Northumberland County Council, the RSPB and DEFRA warning the public not to touch dead or visibly sick birds.
The disease is spread when birds come into direct contact with an infected birds, faeces, body fluids or indirectly via food and water. The risk of transmission to humans is considered to be low, though according to UKCDR figures, 600 cases of AI in humans have shown a mortality rate of 60%.
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Many of the dead birds initially found in Northumberland were gannets, though AI is now impacting guillemots, terns and puffins. The Farne Islands are home to approximately 200,000 seabirds including those mentioned above, as well as kittiwakes, razorbills and shags.
Simon Lee, General Manager for the Farne Islands, said: "While we have no confirmed test results from the islands, we are now starting to see the terribly sad and distressing impact of Avian Influenza on our internationally important and threatened seabirds who make the islands their home. Seabirds nesting in dense colonies, most of which are threatened, such as Arctic Terns, are particularly vulnerable now as they have returned to the islands in their thousands to breed, nesting in close proximity to each other.
"Our ranger teams work tirelessly to monitor and protect these colonies, but due to finding significant numbers of dead birds, we simply have no other choice but to close the islands. We understand how many people love to visit the islands, but we must do everything we can to protect and to try to help these much-loved seabirds by limiting the spread of the disease.
"The effect of the disease on the colonies we care for could be devastating due to many species having low reproduction rates, which means the loss of adult birds has a huge impact on populations being able to recover. Many of the birds which nest here, such as the vulnerable Atlantic Puffin, are already experiencing huge pressures due to climate change with warming sea temperatures impacting food stocks.
"By closing the islands we will reduce the risk of disturbance on the birds, which will hopefully help at least slow down the spread of the disease during this breeding period before they leave the islands in late summer to continue their annual migratory cycle."
Ben McCarthy, Head of Nature Conservation and Restoration Ecology called on the Government to do more to recognise the impact bird flu is having on wild bird populations. He said: " We desperately need Government to take more effective action, including a National Response Plan that includes practical steps to support our conservation teams, surveillance and monitoring of spread in wild bird populations, research into ways of slowing its spread, and clear biosecurity measures."
The Ranger team will remain on the Farne Islands to continue monitoring the birds whilst they are closed to visitors. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has advised that the risk to the general public's health is very low, but people should not touch sick or dead birds. If found, please report any dead birds to Defra on 0345 9335577.
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