The Scottish Executive has now set up a 3km 'protection zone' around Cellardyke, where the dead swan was found, and a 10 km 'surveillance zone' around that. The Scottish Executive have also set up a 2,500 sq km ‘wild bird risk area’, stretching along the East coast, around the site of the outbreak. Within these three areas, all poultry are to be brought indoors, and there will be increased surveillance of wild bird populations.

This ‘wild bird risk area’ includes our Vane Farm, Strathbeg and Loch of Kinnordy Nature Reserves. In the light of recent events in the area, the RSPB is carrying out daily surveillance of these reserves. All our nature reserves remain open, and they are still welcoming visitors – there is no need to stop visiting the countryside.

After the dramatic news of H5N1 being detected in the UK, many people are understandably alarmed if they find a dead bird. If you do find a sick or dead bird, the following advice has been issued by Defra: If you find one or more dead swans/wild fowl (ducks and geese); more than 3 dead birds of the same species or more than 5 dead birds of different species, in the same place, you should contact the Defra Helpline (08459 33 55 77). 

Currently the Helpline is available between the following hours Monday - Friday 6 am to 10 pm and Saturday - Sunday 6 am to 10 pm. You will be asked for details of your finding and its location. If the dead bird is a single, small garden, or wild bird then you do not need to call Defra. 

Please see 'The bird breeding season begins' and 'Your questions answered' for more information by clicking on the links to the left.