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Scottish nature reserves to close amid avian flu concerns
The Isle of May reserve in the Firth of Forth is home to hundreds of breeding seabirds.

The Isle of May and Noss National Nature Reserves are home to hundreds of breeding seabirds.

Scotland's nature agency is closing two of its nature reserves in a bid to protect vulnerable seabirds from avian influenza.

NatureScot's Isle of May reserve, Firth of Forth, and Noss National Nature Reserve (NNRs), Shetland, are home to hundreds of breeding seabirds.

The reserves will be closed from 1 July in response to concerns over the spread and impact of the H5N1 strain of avian flu. 

NatureScot said that visitors can still enjoy the summer seabird spectacle at a distance and by taking round-island boat trips without coming ashore.

Eileen Stuart, NatureScot’s deputy director of nature and climate change, said the decision to close the
reserves had not been taken lightly.

“We are increasingly concerned about the devastating impact avian flu is having in Scotland, particularly on our seabird colonies,” she said.

"The situation has been rapidly evolving and deteriorating, and we feel at this time that restricting access to these sites, and reducing it at others, is a precautionary but proportionate approach that gives us the best chance of reducing the spread of the virus and its impact.”

She added: “We recognise that this will be disappointing for those planning a visit but we hope people understand that this is about protecting our precious seabird populations for the future. We will be keeping the situation under regular review over the coming weeks.”

Avian flu is widespread across Scotland, with positive cases recorded in Shetland, Orkney, St Kilda, Lewis and St Abbs. 

Great skua and gannets have been hardest hit by the virus, with research showing a 64 per cent decline of great skua on St Kilda and 85 per cent at Rousay in Orkney. 

Arctic tern, common guillemot and puffin have also tested positive. 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.