BLUEMOMENT

Seen a load of deid and dying ones near the McCormaig's. Mostly shearwaters from what I could tell, didn't want to get too close. Hearing about avian flu on the radio is one thing, but when you see them up close its pretty sad.

Indeed, not a good sign. Some news on the matter supports your observations: -

https://news.sky.com/story/highly-patho ... t-12631202
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9s3_gOOyoU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED7SeFRP9kg

Over 1,000 gannets and hundreds of great skuas have been found dead across Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles. Anyone who finds a dead bird should not touch it and report it to DEFRA instead, according to RSPB Scotland.

It is very contagious within the avian population and has spread round the coast.

How to report: -

If you come across a dead wild bird, please report it to DEFRA on 03459 335577 (option 7). If they are sick or injured contact SSPCA on 03000 999999 (option 1).

https://www.angus.gov.uk/news/reports_of_dead_sea_birds

Advice from RYA Scotland to all it's members when sailing in Scotland this summer.

"As you may have read in the press, there is a serious outbreak of bird flu (H5N1) in seabird colonies in Scotland and large numbers of birds have died. We have been asked by NatureScot to help in two ways:

by not handling dead or dying seabirds or allowing a dog to touch them.

by not disturbing seabird colonies.

Many are in locations where landing is not possible. However, the following are places where a landing might be made from a boat and you are asked not to do so this year:

the Forth islands except for Inchcolm
Mousa and Noss in Shetland
Swona in the Pentland Firth
the Treshnish islands in Argyll

The reason for avoiding sea bird colonies is that this reduces the risk of additional stress on already vulnerable birds. We like to take photographs of puffins but please do not try to do so this year. If a dog needs to go ashore at one of the islands then keep it on a leash."

Your cooperation with this is most appreciated, more general advice can be found on the NatureScot website.

.
Priest Island also (off Ullapool)

The list of islands affected is growing

Until the end of August for breeding puffins, Arctic skuas and Arctic terns:
Orkney - Calf of Eday, Swona and Muckle Skerry
Firth of Forth - Craigleith, Inchmickery, Isle of May

Until mid-September for breeding great skuas, common terns, cormorants and fulmars:
Shetland - Noss
Argyll - Glas Eileanan (Sound of Mull)
Firth of Forth - Lamb and Fidra

Until mid-October for breeding gannets, storm-petrels and Manx shearwaters:
Shetland - Ramna Stacks and Gruney
Western Isles - Flannan Isles, North Rona and Sula Sgeir, St Kilda (Dun, Soay, Boreray, Stac an Armin and Stac Li - excluding the main island of Hirta)
Highland - Priest Island
Argyll - Treshnish Isles
Firth of Forth - Bass Rock