Bird flu seems to have prompted dramatic declines in some species of seabirds in Northern Ireland, in keeping with the RSPB NI.
It has carried out additional analysis following the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s annual seabird survey.
Some species had proven will increase.
But evaluation by the RSPB now reveals declines amongst a number of species that the charity says are most probably attributable to the chicken flu outbreak throughout the UK in winter 2021.
The charity is asking for a seabird conservation technique to assist vulnerable seabird populations.
Common guillemot numbers had beforehand appeared to indicate an increase of 57%, however this latest survey signifies a decline of 25%.
Declines have additionally been recorded within the already red-listed kittiwake (-29%) and the widespread tern (-47%).
‘Devastating falls’
“We’re seeing species that had been already being hit by a whole lot of completely different pressures now feeling that extra influence from avian flu,” Erin McKeown, RSPB NI’s Senior Seabird & Marine Policy Officer, mentioned.
She outlined the number of pressures confronted by seabirds, together with unsustainable fishing actions, invasive species predation in colonies and coastal websites, and the wide-ranging influence of local weather change on marine ecosystems usually.
“Seabirds are a resilient species, however after they’re underneath so many pressures it actually does compound, and it simply takes yet one more influence like avian flu to come back alongside and you’ve got these actually devastating falls that may be actually catastrophic for already extremely vulnerable seabird species,” Ms McKeown mentioned.
Monitoring of key seabird colonies will proceed to evaluate the influence of chicken flu and to see any developments rising.
“What Northern Ireland actually wants now could be an bold and sturdy seabird conservation technique,” Ms McKeown mentioned.
“That must be in place and it must have timebound actions and it must be resourced so it is bought the financing and it is prioritised going ahead, so we’re actually safeguarding our seabirds.”
