Seabird numbers bounce back in Solent region after 2022 avian flu wipeout
Summary
The number of seabirds in the Solent area of southern England has grown a lot after bird flu caused a big drop in 2022. Conservation groups worked to protect nests, reduce predators, and create safe spaces, helping species like sandwich terns and black-headed gulls recover.Key Facts
- Sandwich terns at Pagham harbour went from zero breeding pairs in 2022 to 756 pairs in 2026.
- Other birds like little terns, ringed plovers, oystercatchers, and black-headed gulls also increased along the coast.
- The sandwich terns produced 570 young birds this summer, one of the largest counts in the region.
- Black-headed gull fledglings grew from 51 in 2025 to 504 in 2026.
- Conservation actions included fencing to keep out predators like foxes, monitoring for rats, and removing some plants to make nesting space.
- New safe islands in a lagoon helped avocets, with 18 pairs nesting there.
- Volunteers educated visitors about protecting ground-nesting birds and provided dog-friendly areas away from nests.
- Floating nesting rafts helped common terns and black-headed gulls breed safely in places like Medmerry and West Hayling.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
