August 2017, Avian Botulism on the Skerries
Our most recent journey to the Skerries was met with the disturbing news that avian botulism has killed 10% of this years arctic tern colony. Avian botulism is transmitted via the consumption of infected maggots that grow on the carcasses of infected birds. The resident wardens have therefore been working hard to contain this outbreak by collecting and burning any bird carcasses.
