Pictured: Around 20 dead birds are being found every 500 metres along Southerness Beach, Dumfries, Scotland (pictured here - A Barnacle goose) in the last week. Another virus is spreading through wild bird populations across 27 countries in Europe and Israel. The hardest hit area in the UK is the south west region of Scotland around the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway. Walking down Southerness Beach towards RSPB Mereshead the bodies of Barnacle and Pink Footed Geese area scattered along the high tide line. Reports of geese dropping out of the sky as they fly between roosts and feeding areas have been common this winter. The Solway is an important area for the Svalbard Barnacle Goose with nearly the entire population wintering in the area. It is now estimated that over 4,000 geese, between 15-20% of the total population have died. The Solway Estuary is home to to over 40,000 Barnacle geese, nearly 12,000 Pink-footed geese. The virus H5N1 virus (Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1) comes from these wild birds, the virus itself is spread by waterfowl particularly migratory geese that summer in the Arctic where they mix with birds from all over the world. If you notice unusual mortality in Great Britain, i.e. five or more wild birds dead in the same location, you should report them by calling the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm) and selecting option 7, or by emailing defra.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk. Please byline: Brian Matthews/Solent News ?? Brian Matthews/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800