Avian influenza appears to have caused a dramatic decline in some species of seabirds in Northern Ireland, according to RSPB NI.
Further research was conducted following the annual seabird survey by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
Some species showed increases.
However, analysis by the RSPB shows a decline among several species, which the charity says is most likely to be caused by an outbreak of bird flu across the UK in winter 2021.
The charity is calling for seabird conservation strategies to support vulnerable seabird populations.
Murre numbers previously appeared to be increasing by 57%, but this latest study shows a 25% decline.
Declines were also recorded in kittiwakes (-29%) and terns (-47%), which are already on the red list.
“Devastating Waterfall”
Erin McCune, RSPB NI’s senior director of seabird and ocean policy, said: “We are seeing species that were already under a lot of pressure feel the added impact of avian influenza.”
He outlined a range of pressures seabirds face, including unsustainable fishing practices, predation by invasive species in colonies and coastal areas, and the broader impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems in general.
“Seabirds are a resilient species, but being exposed to so many pressures only makes it worse. All it takes is one more shock like bird flu to add to an already incredibly vulnerable population. There can be catastrophic falls that are really devastating for people’s seabird species,” Ms McCune said.
Monitoring of major seabird colonies will continue to assess the impact of avian influenza and identify emerging trends.
“What Northern Ireland really needs now is an ambitious and strong seabird conservation strategy,” Mr McCune said.
“We need to get it in place, we need to take time-bound actions, we need to secure funding, we need to secure resources to make it a priority going forward, so we’re not really protecting seabirds. Masu.”