Five UK Seabird Species Added to Red List of Greatest Conservation Concern

A recent review by scientists has revealed that five seabird species have been added to the UK’s “red list” of greatest conservation concern. The Leach’s Storm-petrel, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Arctic Tern, and Great Skua are now among Britain’s most at-risk birds, joining another five threatened seabird species already on the red list – the Kittiwake, Herring Gull, Roseate Tern, Arctic Skua, and Puffin.

The update, published in the journal British Birds on Monday, follows the assessment of 28 seabird species, with experts categorizing them as red, amber, or green-listed based on their level of threat. The addition of these five species brings the total number of red-listed species to 73 out of 245 regularly occurring bird species in the UK, which amounts to 30 percent.

Investigation and Assessment

The assessment of seabird species utilized data from the last national seabird census, as well as information from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s (JNCC) seabird monitoring program. A recent survey led by the RSPB to study the impacts of bird flu was also a crucial part of the evidence for some species.

Experts highlighted that the UK remains a vital breeding ground for seabird populations, facing various threats such as climate change impacts, overfishing, entanglement in fishing gear, invasive predators, and offshore renewable energy development in important foraging zones.

The vulnerability of UK seabirds to diseases like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or “bird flu” was also noted, with the Great Skua’s inclusion on the red list attributed to widespread outbreaks between 2021 and 2023.

Conservation Efforts and Actions

The RSPB called for urgent action from governments to address the declining status of seabird populations and enable their recovery. Despite the challenges, there have been positive developments, with the Shag species moving from the red to the amber list, and the Black Guillemot joining the Cormorant on the green list due to new population data.

Conservationists welcomed decisions by the UK and Scottish Governments to close Sandeel fisheries and reported promising results from projects aimed at removing invasive predators from seabird islands across the UK. These actions are seen as crucial steps towards addressing the multiple pressures faced by seabirds.

Conclusion

Seabirds play a vital role in the coastal ecosystem and are facing significant challenges from various threats. Continued monitoring and conservation efforts are essential to safeguard these iconic species and ensure their long-term survival. By taking proactive steps to address the factors contributing to their decline, there is hope for a positive turnaround in the fortunes of UK seabird populations.

This Author

Rebecca Speare-Cole is the PA sustainability reporter.