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Posted: 15th June 2023

New wave of avian flu hits gulls and terns
Large numbers of black-headed gulls, an amber-listed species, have died from the virus.
Thousands of birds in breeding colonies have died.

A new wave of avian influenza is spreading through breeding colonies of seabirds in the UK, leading to a high number of deaths.

Common terns and black-headed gulls have been particularly affected, with breedings sites from Norfolk to County Antrim hit by the virus.

At least 10,000 black-headed gulls are estimated to have died since the end of March, four per cent of the UK population. Deaths have more than doubled in the past month.

Hundreds of common terns have also died. At Seaforth Nature Reserve in Liverpool, 50 per cent of breeding common terns are thought to have died from the virus. Forty per cent have died at the nearby Shotton Steelworks in North Wales.

Since the start of June, more than 200 black-headed gulls and common terns are believed to have died from avian influenza at RSPB Window on Wildlife in Belfast, leading to the reserve temporarily closing to the public.

The true number of bird deaths from avian influenza is unknown as only a relatively small number of dead birds are tested for the virus.

Both common terns and black-headed gulls are on the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern, indicating that there is moderate concern about their conservation status.

Researchers at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) are urging members of the public to help track the spread of avian flu by reporting dead birds through the BirdTrack app and to the relevant authorities.

Dead birds found in England, Scotland and Wales must be reported to Defra. In Northern Ireland, they should be reported to DAERA. Dead and sick birds should not be touched or handled by the public.

Professor James Pearce-Higgins, BTO director of science, said: “The spread of avian influenza through these inland breeding colonies of black-headed gulls and common terns is continuing. It represents the next phase of the battle against this virus that devastated so many of our coastal and offshore seabird colonies last year.

“We are only able to track the spread of avian influenza with the help of birdwatchers who submit their sightings to BirdTrack and Defra/DAERA, supporting the efforts of site managers and reserve wardens.”



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