News releases

Five nature charities are today calling on Scotland’s First Minister to stop what could be the “world’s deadliest windfarm for birds” being built. Berwick Bank could kill more birds than any other individual wind farm on the planet, according to the RSPB and conservation partners.

Sadly, we have received reports of dead or dying seabirds, particularly guillemots, along the East Lothian coast in recent weeks. Avian influenza – more commonly known as bird flu – is a suspected cause and specimens have been collected by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) for testing. This highly pathogenic disease continues to circulate in wild bird populations and remains a huge risk to our fragile seabird species.

A new study examines how the HPAI epidemic affected seabird colonies in Scotland and England.

On Tuesday 23 September, Minister for Agriculture, Jim Fairlie MSP, will host a summit to discuss urban gulls. The summit will bring together representatives from NatureScot, community councils, businesses, public health bodies and conservation groups. Our Conservation Officer, Emily Burton will be attending to advocate for long-term solutions that will help curb unwanted gull behaviour without further endangering these special seabirds.