Stakeholder Meetings
Ornithological Experts Group Meeting - 11 April 2006 at 3 pm
Attendees:
Neil Ritchie SEERAD (chair)
Ian Anderson SEERAD
Ian Bainbridge SEERAD
Nia Ball SEERAD
Mike Lamont SEERAD ( SVS)
Charles Milne SEERAD ( CVO)
Alan Anderson SWT
Helen Baker JNCC (phone link)
Jacquie Clark BTO (phone link)
Ruth Cromie WWT (phone link)
Chris Davis GCT (phone link)
Colin Galbraith SNH
Keith Hamilton DEFRA (phone link)
Richard Luxmoore NTS
Eileen Rees WWT (phone link)
Alison Rennie DEFRA (phone link)
Debby Reynolds DEFRA (phone link)
Mirzet Sabirovic DEFRA (phone link)
Mike Sharp VLA (phone link)
Peter Sherry South Lanarkshire Council
Chris Spray SEPA
Barti Synge SAC
Paul Walton RSPB
Tom Young COSLA
1. Update on current situation
CM gave an update on the current situation. He reported that, following DNA analysis, the dead swan in Fife has been confirmed as a Whooper Swan. Predation had made initial visual identification difficult. This was announced at a Press Briefing at 2:00pm today. Discussion was invited on:
a. The origin of the swan
b. The implications of the new information
2. Discussion of current situation
a. The origin of the swan
Most Whooper Swans found in the British Isles are migratory between GB and Iceland. There are very few birds which travel between GB and the Baltic and Scandinavia. The genetic typing of the H5N1 virus showed it to be similar to that identified in the Reugen Island outbreak. There are a number of possibilities as to how the swan arrived in Cellardyke, but the working assumption remains that the swan originated from outwith the UK.
Action: CS to look into whether SEPA can do trajectory tracking of where a dead swan may have been washed in from, according to wind direction at the time.
b. The implication of the new information
The new information was not thought to have significant new implications. It was discussed in the context of the next agenda item. The conclusion was that the main priorities should remain the surveillance of dead birds. In a discussion on risk it was noted that Whooper swans are the most analysed species, and that significant surveillance (c600) of live Whooper swans had not identified any H5N1 infection.
Top of page
3. Consideration of delivery of surveillance
An update was given on the ongoing cooperation between SNH and other agencies and NGOs involved in dead wild bird surveillance at main bird sites across Scotland. The key messages from all involved were:
- that key areas all over Scotland have been regularly monitored over the last few months, and no unusual patterns of deaths or movements of birds have been seen compared to previous years. Generally all had confidence in the geographical spread and frequency of surveillance.
- that focus should not be taken off other species such as geese.
- that Whooper swans have been monitored for HPAI extensively across Britain and Europe, and there is no evidence of an outbreak within Whooper swan populations in Britain.
- that it would be prudent to review monitoring of main Whooper swan sites in some areas outside the WBRA in view of migration routes.
- that East Lothian sites should be visited as part of the routine surveillance programme.
Action: CG and ML to reassess targeting of surveillance within the WBRA, East Lothian and the Western Isles.
4. Any other business
PW emphasized the importance of taking photos of all dead wild birds brought in for testing, and this is now being implemented across Scotland. Several people volunteered to help with identification of birds from the photos.
IA emphasized the need to keep in close contact with other members of the group over the next few days in case it needed to meet again soon.
Top of page