The Devastating Impact of Avian Flu on Great Skua and Other Seabird Populations in the UK

The Great Skua, a powerful and predatory seabird, is often referred to as the pirate of the seas due to its habit of stealing food from other birds. However, this iconic species, along with several other seabirds, has experienced a significant decline in population numbers due to the outbreak of avian flu. According to a report by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the numbers of Great Skuas in the UK were down by 76% in 2023 compared to previous years. This decline was not an isolated incident, as populations of Gannets and Roseate Terns also suffered substantial losses.

Avian flu, a highly contagious viral disease, spread to wild birds in the summer of 2021, causing thousands of creatures to die. The H5N1 strain of avian flu was responsible for the mass mortality of birds, including Great Skuas, Gannets, and Roseate Terns. These species had been experiencing population growth before the outbreak, making their decline even more alarming.

The RSPB surveyed 13 bird species in May-July 2023 and concluded that avian flu had caused the decline of Great Skuas, Gannets, and Roseate Terns, and was likely to have caused reductions in Sandwich and Common Terns. The findings highlight the severity of avian flu as a conservation threat to multiple seabirds. Jean Duggan, RSPB avian influenza policy assistant, stated, “This is a wake-up call as to how serious avian flu is and it’s coming on top of multiple other threats that these species face.”

The impact of avian flu on seabird populations was not limited to the UK. Thousands of Gannets were estimated to have died from the disease, and at least 2,591 Great Skuas died in Scotland alone. The total number of Great Skuas in the UK declined from 9,088 to 2,160. The decline in Gannet populations was even more pronounced, with 11,175 killed in Scotland and an estimated 5,000 mortalities at Grassholm in Wales. In 2023, the total number of seabirds counted in the UK had declined by 25%, going from 227,129 to 171,048.

Although avian flu has become less acute in the UK in recent months, it continues to pose a threat to birds worldwide. In January 2024, the virus was detected in elephant and fur seals in Antarctica for the first time. Ms. Duggan emphasized the need to consider avian flu a long-term threat, as the virus will continue to mutate and pose a risk to UK birds.

Avian flu is not the only threat facing UK seabirds. Climate change, mortality linked to fishing, the effects of offshore wind developments, and a reduction in the availability of food are other significant threats. The RSPB’s report serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable species.

In conclusion, the outbreak of avian flu has had a devastating impact on Great Skua and other seabird populations in the UK. The decline in numbers of these species is a wake-up call to the severity of avian flu as a conservation threat and the need for continued efforts to protect them from multiple threats. The UK, being a pivotal country in protecting these birds globally, has the power to make a significant difference in their populations. As Jean Duggan stated, “It’s empowering to realize that if we take the right actions in the UK, it will actually benefit global populations to a very significant degree.”