HPAI Seabird Survey Report

A new collaborative report on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), the HPAI Seabird Report (www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/seabird-surveys-project-report), has revealed the devastating impact of the virus on bird populations. In response to the number of reported mortalities thought to be caused by HPAI in 2022, the RSPB led a nationwide programme of additional seabird population counts in 2023. The project counted 14 species, including Northern Gannet Morus bassanus, Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Herring Gull Larus argentatus, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii, Great Skua Stercorarius skua and Common Guillemot Uria aalge.