Dead seabirds are being found along the southern Burin and Avalon peninsulas.

And that has many residents and biologists concerned that avian flu may have hit our shores.

Seabird expert Bill Montevecchi says some 10 dead gannets and 53 murrs have been found at the Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, as well as six dead puffins in the area of Witless Bay.

Montevecchi says it looks like it’s radiating from the Burin Peninsula, across Placentia Bay, to Cape St. Mary’s and the Witless Bay area.

Samples are being tested at Memorial University and the biologist says he can’t imagine any result other than positive.

The spread of avian flu is a global concern and he fears it will have a major impact on the local bird population.

Montevecchi urges people who see something unusual, such as a number of dead birds, to make sure to get the information out there through social media, and to call a dedicated line for the issue (709-685-7273) so that it can be documented.

“In the end, that will help in terms of mortality counts,” he says, adding it seems the flu is spreading eastward from the Gulf of St. Lawrence.