Bird flu Update as new survey data shows the impact on seabirds

In the latest of our bird flu updates Senior Policy Officer Claire Smith has some worrying news on what has been happening to seabird populations.
Last year the RSPB and other organisations worked to produce fresh surveys of seabird colonies to try and understand the impact of bird flu on key species. As Claire explains the results are sobering.
The 2023 UK wide counts were supported by the Bird Flu Appeal and the following funders:
ScotWind developers of the East and North East plan areas,
The Crown Estate (through the Offshore Wind Evidence and Change Programme), Scottish Government (via the ScotMER programme), Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs.

[@jennyc5417]

Heartbreaking about the percentages of gannets and great skuas lost. Thanks for your work and your explanation. Here's hoping things will improve.

[@DrPhoenixJKZ]

I live in Aberdeen, and I have been to RSPB Fowlsleugh in the middle of this January, back then when it was coverded by snow.
It was empty, but I saw the sign about bird flu. And, the views there are beautiful.
Also, I plan to go to Troup Head in the future.
I hope things will remain beautiful, and be even better in the future for these places, as well as ll nature reserves through the world.