Bird flu devastates more North Sea seabird colonies

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI; bird flu) has again been spreading through seabird colonies off the east coast of England and Scotland in recent weeks.

The consequences are becoming increasingly devastating, with huge losses reported from chicks and adults of several species.

The 2023 season started positively in many areas with plenty of healthy young hatching earlier in the summer, but the virus has surged through colonies during July and claimed a massive number of fatalities. Among the worst-affected species include Black-headed Gull, Kittiwake, Guillemot and various tern species.

Kittiwake is among the worst-affected species in the latest outbreak of bird flu along the North Sea coast of England and Scotland (Richard Pittam).

The hot-spot of Coquet Island, Northumberland – which is home to Britain's only breeding colony of Roseate Terns – has reported an eerie quietness this July, with the island's 5,000 pairs of Black-headed Gull absent after a near-total die-off of chicks during the last few weeks. Big losses have also been noted among Roseate and Sandwich Terns there. The island was also hit hard in 2022, when wardens suggested it would "take years to recover" from the impacts of the virus.

The Isle of May, off the coast of Fife, has also been badly affected in recent weeks, with Kittiwakes bearing the brunt of the outbreak, while losses have also been reported at nearby St Abb's Head on the mainland. Many outbreaks have been noted across Scotland, where the prevalence of the virus has "increased dramatically", according to the Scottish Government's Chief Veterinary Officer.

Further south, Bempton Cliffs RSPB reported an outbreak of bird flu on 18 July, specifying that the virus appeared to be affecting Kittiwakes. In a statement, the reserve said: "The Kittiwakes (and many other species) will leave our cliffs in the coming weeks; quite a few young have fledged. While it is worrying, the birds affected are in a localised area. It is hoped that the majority of the birds will leave the cliffs before the impact worsens."