Visitors have been told to stay away from Findhorn Bay after scores of geese and gulls were found dead.
More than 22 pink-footed geese and an “unusual” number of gulls have been found dead at the beauty spot.
Members of the public, wildfowlers and recreational shooters are being asked to avoid the area to minimise the possible impact of avian flu on wild birds.
Meanwhile a fifth case of bird flu has been identified in Aberdeenshire, in the Turriff area.
‘We are very concerned’
NatureScot has agreed a call for voluntary restraint with Moray Council as a precaution while awaiting results to confirm if the Findhorn Bay deaths are due to avian flu.
The nature agency is also monitoring migrating geese and wintering waterbirds, which can carry different strains of the virus, throughout the winter.
All of the information collected will be passed on to the country’s avian flu task force to help the government, conservationists and land managers reduce transmission and the impact of the virus.
Alastair MacGugan, wildlife management manager for NatureScot, said: “We are very concerned about the impact of avian flu on our wild bird populations, particularly with these latest suspected cases in Moray.
“It’s crucial we respond to the evolving situation quickly to reduce the chances of the disease spreading further and faster in Scotland.
“We don’t think a blanket ban on shooting geese across the Moray coast is warranted. But given what seem to be increasing cases of avian flu in the area, we would ask shooters to exercise restraint at this point until we find out more.
“We are also grateful to members of the public for their assistance in avoiding the area to help prevent the spread.”
Urgent matter
Meanwhile, Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid is to meet Scotland’s chief vet to discuss his concerns regarding the response to the increasing cases.
The Scottish Government confirmed a fifth case in Aberdeenshire on Sunday, at Muirden Farm near Turriff.
Last week Mr Duguid wrote to Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon, pleading for Scotland to follow England’s lead in issuing a housing order for poultry in the north-east.
She has now responded, advising that chief vet Sheila Voas is happy to meet him.
The letter also revealed that 120,000 birds were impacted by last week’s two cases in Banff and Buchan.
Ms Gougeon confirmed 88,000 free-range laying chickens at Strath of Brydock Poultry Farm at Alvah near Banff were impacted by the outbreak on Sunday, November 22, while 32,000 20-week-old free-range laying hens were affected at Ashogle just north of Turriff on Friday, November 18.
The continued rise in the number of outbreaks now means the majority of the Deveron Valley from Huntly all the way to Portsoy is now under a strict protection zone.
‘Situation is spiralling out of control’
Mr Duguid said: “The situation across Banff and Buchan is spiralling out of control and we are seeing absolutely no action from the Scottish Government to curb the escalation of this deadly illness in the north-east.
“The astronomical number highlights the worrying situation our poultry farmers are facing so close to Christmas with supermarkets locally already rationing eggs due to supply issues.
“Wales has now followed England in ordering birds to be kept indoors and with cases continuing to emerge in Aberdeenshire, the question is why aren’t we?
“Our poultry farmers are facing a crisis during their busiest time of the year which is why the SNP Government must finally follow NFU Scotland’s advice and impose the same housing order as other parts of the UK to safeguard the industry in the north-east.”
Conversation