RSPB report finds 85% of Scotland's 20 evaluated seabird species experienced declines, mainly due to avian flu (HPAI).

A report by the RSPB reveals seabird populations in Scotland have suffered significant declines due to avian flu, with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) being blamed for reversing the few positive or stable trends observed in the censuses carried out the previous year. Of the 20 seabird species that experts could evaluate trends for, 17 (85%) experienced population declines, including a 76% drop in the number of great skuas. The increases in gannet, great skua, and European storm-petrel populations in previous years have now been superseded by a 22% gannet decline.

February 13, 2024
4 Articles