Thousands of seabirds dying as Avian Flu rips through colonies
Seabirds across the UK are dying this summer as an Avian Flu outbreak continues for a third year
PA
Seabirds across the UK are dying this summer as an Avian Flu outbreak continues for a third year.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has raised concern for seabirds as Avian Flu continues to put many species at risk.
Thousands of seabirds have reportedly died, with 21 of the UK’s 25 breeding seabird species now having tested positive for the virus since 2021.
Experts suggest seabirds are now being pushed to the brink as the virus kills colonies already recognised as needing urgent help, including red listed Kittiwakes and amber listed Guillemots and Tern species.
Thousands of seabirds have reportedly died, with 21 of the UK’s 25 breeding seabird species now having tested positive for the virus since 2021
PA
Outbreaks along the East coast of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Midlands and Northern England are all causing concern.
So far over 3000 birds have died as a result of the virus in 2023 across the RSPB’s nature reserves.
The total death toll is unknown, but it is suspected that tens of thousands of birds have suffered with Avian Flu over the past three years in the UK.
According to the RSPB, seabirds will struggle to recover from the effects of Avian Flu as quickly as other species as they are long-lived and slow breeding.
Earlier this year 800 Black-headed Gulls were found dead at RSPB St Aidan’s, near Leeds and 600 were suspected to have died due to Avian Flu near Middlesborough.
Around 20 per cent of the breeding Black-headed Gull colony at Belfast Window on Wildlife were also lost.
Jeff Knott, director of policy and advocacy at the RSPB said: “As a vital indicator of the health of our seas and marine habitats, seabirds are already feeling the impacts of the nature and climate emergency here in the UK.
"The additional pressure of Avian Flu across the UK right now is a cause for great concern, as the cumulative three-year effect of this virus, on top of decades of declines amongst our seabirds, could potentially be catastrophic for some of our much loved, and most at risk, species.”
Earlier this year 800 Black-headed Gulls were found dead at RSPB St Aidan’s, near Leeds and 600 were suspected to have died due to Avian Flu near Middlesborough
PA
“Our seabirds are in crisis, and this must be the moment that our governments step up to the challenge of addressing wider marine pressures and subsequent seabird declines.
"There is no time to waste, and so all four governments of the UK must urgently publish their long overdue Seabird Conservation Plans to help build the resilience and long-term health of our seabirds.
"Without robust measures to address these challenges, and with Avian Flu ripping across the UK as we speak, our seabird colonies are being pushed to the brink."