Oil began appearing on beaches at Scarborough South Bay, Cornelian Bay, Cayton Bay and at Filey in North Yorkshire beginning Friday 8 March. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is reporting at least 50 birds affected near Scarborough as thousands of puffins, guillemonts, razorbils and shags begin to return to the area for the breeding season. Strong easterly winds and heavy seas are driving the oil ashore. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are working to determine where the oil is coming from.
The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Living Seas Centre at Flamborough is on high alert and asks anyone finding an oiled seabird to contact them on 01262 422103 for advice.
Sources: The Northern Echo and The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust