Seabirds return to colony after flu wiped them out
A seabird colony in England multiplied from zero to 756 birds within just three years of dedicated conservation efforts.
The sandwich terns moved into the area after the previous population was completely wiped out by a severe outbreak of avian flu last year. These breeding pairs now thrive where nothing lived before their brave arrival on the south coast.
Other species like little terns and ringed plovers have also increased their numbers thanks to the same conservation work. The organization responsible for the area supported the sandwich terns in making the location home again.
In 2022, sandwich terns and other gulls were hit severely by the flu. This disease caused the birds to abandon their breeding colony at Pagham harbor completely last year. It took several years of dedicated conservation action before the situation began to turn around for the local wildlife.
The Guardian said such work includes building fences to stop predators from harming birds that nest on the ground. Volunteers also walked the area to inform visitors about how easily these birds are disturbed by people nearby.
“the site is now thriving with record-breaking populations using it”