IN the period between August and November 2021, there were unprecedented autumn deaths of seabirds, predominantly auks such as guillemots (Uria aalge) and razorbills (Alca torda), in eastern Scotland and England. A total of 179 carcases, comprising 150 common guillemots and 29 razorbills, were collected from beaches (Fig 1) and submitted to Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the APHA and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies for investigation to determine the cause of death, and for avian influenza surveillance.