Seagull numbers plummet in Britain as birds 'struggle in modern world'

"Over the last two decades, the total number of gulls spending the winter in Britain has decreased from 3.9 million to just under 2.5 million. This decline is largely driven by the spread of disease, changes in land use and global warming. The warning follows new data released by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), which detailed its findings in a report called the Winter Gull Survey (WinGS)."

"Figures from WinGS show that Black-headed Gulls declined by almost half in the last 20 years. In the short term, this drop is likely reflective of breeding colonies being heavily impacted by a disease called High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the summer of 2023. Common Gull numbers fell by 26 per cent and Lesser Black-backed Gulls suffered a 47 per cent decline during the same period. The UK's largest gull, the seemingly formidable Great Black-backed Gull, also saw a drop of up to 66 per cent during the winter months."

"'These figures are pretty alarming, and suggest that these enigmatic gulls are having a tough time across the UK. 'Despite these smart and adaptable birds figuring out how to live alongside us, the ever-changing world appears to be moving too fast for them to keep up.'"

"'Reasons for the broad declines are unclear, and they may be caused by multiple factors with one or more drivers affecting different species and different populations,' the report reads. 'These may include changes to breeding habitat, human disturbance, increased predation at breeding colonies, changes to fisheries policies"

British wintering gull numbers have declined from 3.9 million to just under 2.5 million over the last two decades. The decline affects Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and Great Black-backed Gulls. Disease, changes in land use, and global warming are major drivers. Black-headed Gulls declined by almost half, with short-term reductions linked to High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in summer 2023. Common Gulls fell by 26%, Lesser Black-backed Gulls fell by 47%, and Great Black-backed Gulls dropped by up to 66% during winter months. Reasons for broad declines remain unclear and may involve multiple interacting factors including breeding habitat changes, human disturbance, increased predation, and fisheries policy changes.

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