It was an upsetting end to a walk which started so well.
I always look forward to visiting the Forvie Nature Reserve. We don't go there in summer 'cos of some silly idea that I might disturb the ground nesting birds. But now the fledglings have all fledged, we're back again and I should be free to roam.
The best bit is of course the beach. A mile and a half of pristine sands. The perfect playground for a wire-haired fox terrier. I couldn't wait to get there.
We've reached the sand dunes. Not far now!
But what's this? Gail is saying I need to be on my lead? But Gail, we're almost at the beach!
And then I get it (sort of).
Not just one dead guillemot but literally hundreds, scattered around the high tide line in varying states of decomposition. Gail tells me these birds are almost certainly victims of avian 'flu. As the tide is in, they are hard to avoid. We see at least one bird carcass every five meters, all the way up the beach. Gail is looking upset, tearful even. I am subdued, and not only because of the lead thing.
PS from Gail: I've been reading about the devastating effects of avian 'flu in the UK all year and we've seen several victims on previous walks. But I think it was the conflation in my mind of so many dead and decomposing guillemots here, with this week's news reports of thousands of drowned humans washing up on shore in Libya following the catastrophic collapse of two dams, that so disturbed and overwhelmed me on Saturday afternoon.
oh nooooo... that is so sad... to see this proud birds on the ground... we cry with your gail...
ReplyDeleteOh Nobby, this is the saddest thing - all those poor birds, and the drowned people in Libya. There have been so many terrible things happening to humans and animals lately. I just hope that the rest of us can stay safe.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Paca xx
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteWell, Nobby, I too have been deeply affected by the world news of earthquakes and floods... and have been tracking the avian flu, also. Having read the most wonderful article only two days back, this scene is devastating and quite understand Gail's reaction. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Gail replies: thanks for the link. I missed that article.
DeleteSorry to read that it all came together in one overwhelming nadir at what should have been a favorite beach walk. If it is of any interest to you i was told during our beach clean last weekend that DEFRA want fresh avian flu victims to study and to that end have apparently convinced vets to accept them into cold storage - double bagged and sealed - i would check with the vet (or DEFRA) first and take immense precautions handling them but if one is that way inclined it might be a way to help the research into avian flu.
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad and so upsetting.
ReplyDeleteSo very sad. Loss of any form of life on such a scale is devastating. It has been a particularly hard year for kittiwakes, terns and gulls.
ReplyDeleteNobby and Gail I am so very sorry to read about the shore birds.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about the humans deaths washing up on the shore.
Hugs Cecilia
I would not have walked out there, i am pretty sure the avian flu is contagious to humans. hope the two of you are safe from it. it is heart breaking to see them like that and the earthquake is a horror and heartbreaking. i felt the same way when viewing the fish kill we had recently, thousands of dead fish on the beaches.
ReplyDeleteWe're sorry to hear your walk was a sad journey with all those dead birds. Our paws are crossed that the avian flu can run its course and be done soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's harder and harder nowadays to escape these heartbreaking and angst-producing scenes and events. Nobby, thank doG you are there to console and cuddle your mom!
ReplyDeleteNobby - we are sorry about the bird. So sad. Lady says she doesn't know if that is really how fast it melted, that is what one source on the internet said. She didn't go out and measure it. She knows when she was in Iceland 8 years ago, they said 50-100 feet a year was the loss at the time. She also knows a picture she has of a Glacier in Banff, is a museum piece because it is now gone like 15 years later. So sad. Sad Lee and Phod
ReplyDeleteA very sad sight to see
ReplyDeleteThat would be so upsetting, the shore should be a special place to make you both happy, but not that day. Sometimes it is all too much to bear.
ReplyDelete