The RSPB is carefully keeping track of the seabird nests at its Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve after reports of increasing bird influenza cases throughout England and Northern Ireland.
The recent spread of bird influenza amongst threatened gulls and terns is collecting rate, professionals from the British Trust for Ornithology said.
At least 10,000 black-headed gulls, 4 percent of the overall UK population, are feared to have actually passed away because completion of March.
Hundreds of typical terns have actually likewise passed away, with indications of serious losses for this types still to come.
Richard Barnard, RSPB location supervisor, said: “Avian influenza is sadly still affecting wild and domestic bird populations, causing distressing scenes across our countryside.
“Last year, we saw the devastating impacts of avian influenza and thousands of seabirds were reported dead across the country.
“Whilst we have not confirmed any avian influenza cases at Bempton Cliffs yet this year, it is still too early in the season to rule this out and our staff continue to be vigilant, monitoring the colonies carefully and doing counts of the seabird colonies. The RSPB is urging the Government to respond to this crisis with the true urgency needed as scenes like this are not only distressing but continue to be of concern as the UK’s worst outbreak takes hold yet again across the country.”
Terns and black-headed gulls don’t breed at Bempton. However it is home from March to October to around half a million breeding seabirds, consisting of gannets, puffins, guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes.
A bird influenza break out at Bempton in 2015 is thought to have actually killed numerous gannets, its biggest residents.
Yorkshire Belle’s skipper Peter Richardson, who takes visitors to the nest daily, weather condition allowing, said although they saw the periodic dead bird in the water, that wasn’t unusual.
“We’re not seeing anymore (dead birds) then regular,” he said.
“Overall there are far more birds on the cliffs than when I started 41 years ago.
“There’s been a very slight reduction in gannets – we are talking 200 or so out of 13,500.”
