Concern is mounting for seabirds on RSPB Coquet Island in Northumberland, the UK’s only roseate tern breeding colony, and across the UK, following confirmed cases of Avian Influenza.
A new virulent form of bird flu that originated in poultry in east Asia has now killed tens of thousands of wild birds in the UK and around the world. It has had major impacts on populations of wild geese and seabirds across Scotland, and in recent weeks hundreds of birds have died on Coquet island, with several species affected. Samples sent to Defra have now tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The virus is also believed to have caused the deaths of thousands of seabirds across Scotland, with an increasing number of confirmed cases appearing across England.
The RSPB is demanding UK governments act now to develop and implement an immediate response plan to address HPAI in wild birds, as well as national seabird conservation strategies that will build resilience in our populations over the longer term.
Situated off the coast of Northumberland, RSPB Coquet Island is a wildlife sanctuary of international significance, home to an estimated 82,000 seabirds. It is an important site for nesting puffins, and common, Sandwich and Arctic terns. It is also home to the UK’s only roseate tern breeding colony – a species driven close to extinction in the 19th century by the plumage trade.
Conservation efforts have led to the island’s roseate tern population climbing from 104 breeding pairs in 2016 to an expected 160 pairs this year, with 2022 being the seventh record breeding season in a row.
RSPB site manager Paul Morrison said: “Our work on Coquet Island is all about providing a safe space for these birds to breed. This year we have had record numbers of roseate, Arctic, Sandwich and common terns. The kittiwake population is also the highest it has ever been.
“To go from enjoying another record breeding season and our best year ever, to facing the threat of this disease is a terrible blow. The terns in particular are all with chicks, and when the adults die, so do the young birds. We are doing all we can to prevent the spread of this virus but are incredibly concerned about its potential to impact what is an internationally important seabird colony.”
All four species of tern on the Island have been affected by Avian Influenza, along with eider ducks, black-headed gulls and large gulls. The sanctuary is also an important site for nesting puffins, but no deaths of this species have been recorded so far.
As a wildlife sanctuary, RSPB Coquet Island is not open to the public and staff activity on site is being minimised. Fencing has been built to help prevent birds moving between different parts of the colony and spreading the disease through physical contact.
If you come across dead or sick birds, do not touch them. Instead, please report them as soon as possible to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77. Dog owners should keep their pets on a short lead to reduce the risk of them coming into contact with sick or dead birds, and to minimise disturbance.
Jim Wardill, RSPB England operations director, said: “Bird flu is having a devastating impact on our seabirds – a population already under huge pressure from human impacts including climate change, lack of prey fish, deaths through entanglement in fishing gear and development pressure.
“Action must be taken now, with UK governments leading on developing and implementing national response plans for HPAI in wild birds. It is vital to have a coordinated approach to surveillance and testing, disturbance minimisation and public messaging, along with a joined-up strategy regarding arrangements for the poultry sector.
“There also needs to be clarity on the process for collecting dead birds, and a real and lasting legacy for the Biosecurity for LIFE project to address serious threats facing the UK’s breeding seabirds and build their resilience in the face of this emerging crisis.”
In response to the crisis, the RSPB is running an emergency appeal. Donations will enable the charity to respond to the outbreak and help seabird numbers recover in the future. More information and details on how to donate can be found at rspb.org.uk/avianfluappeal
If you come across dead or sick birds, do not touch them. Instead, please report them as soon as possible to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77. More information on Avian Influenza, including what it is, what do to if you find a sick bird and updates on recent outbreaks can be found on the RSPB website.
ENDS
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Heartbreaking news. I spent part of the winter on Coquet in 1974/5.a magical place.
The National Trust has just announced that visits to the Farne Islands have been suspended (although boats will still be able to sail around the islands, just not land).
It is reported that rangers had ‘found significant numbers of dead birds’ but also that ‘…there have been no confirmed cases of avian flu among the islands’ colonies…’ but I guess the second statement may need updating after autopsy results come back???.
A very worrying situation with large populations of sea-birds at risk all round the coast.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-62011116
‘originated in poultry in east Asia’ – so this ‘wild’ disease actually has its origin in the agricultural system, would it be from highly industrial agriculture? Perhaps the intensive farming that has unnaturally high numbers of a bird in the same place, as with driven grouse shooting, dramatically increases the incidence of parasites and disease and the chance a new one of the latter will spring into existence.
This should be taken as an incredibly stark reminder of why covid should have been THE catalyst for dramatically re-evaluating how we interact with animals. With the natural world the ludicrous and utterly pointless practice of turning wildlife into traditional medicines, or for that matter eating rare species as a twisted form of displaying status (of being a dick?) needs to come to an end right now.
The conservation organisations should have been a hell of a lot more forthright about that decades ago and they could start making up for lost time now by pointing out if they had we might never have had covid. Like having more trees on hills to stop homes being flooded, an example of where the benefits of conservation to humanity are enormous, but they get pushed into the corner by the hand wringers.
Covid was bad, but it could have been a lot worse, what’s happening to seabird populations right now should terrify us, we’re on very thin ice – we have incredibly high and dense populations and international flights taking people from one hemisphere to another in a few hours. Next time will it be something that’s particularly dangerous for the young instead of, or as well as, the elderly? Maybe it’ll ‘just’ have two, three or four times the fatality rate of covid. What’s the chances of that happening unless we change how we live?