The UK has lost more than three-quarters of its great skuas on surveyed sites since bird flu struck, according to the first report quantifying the impact of H5N1 on seabird populations.

The deaths have happened over two years, since the outbreak of H5N1 in 2021. The UK is internationally important for seabirds, home to most of the world’s 16,000 pairs of nesting great skuas.

Jean Duggan, a policy assistant on avian influenza for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), said: “To have that level of loss in a population we have international responsibility for is quite catastrophic.

  • @Mr_Blott
    link
    English
    -35 months ago

    On the other hand, is this not great news if you’re a fish?

    • Jho
      link
      fedilink
      English
      8
      edit-2
      5 months ago

      deleted by creator

      • @Mr_Blott
        link
        English
        15 months ago

        Sounds like something an albatross would say right enough. Still salty at the Ancient Mariner? 😂