THE north's seabird population is being pushed "to the brink" as a result of avian flu, the RSPB has warned.
The charity has said recent outbreaks of the virus have been detected in all UK regions in recent months, with rare bird colonies at risk of "devastation" without immediate action.
Since 2021, avian flu has been detected in 21 of the UK's 25 breeding seabird species.
Recent outbreaks include at the Window on Wildlife nature reserve at Belfast Harbour, where the RSPB said 20 percent of the reserve's breeding Black-headed Gull colony was lost.
The RSPB said over 3,000 birds have been recorded dead as a result of the virus in 2023 so far at its reserves, following over 17,000 deaths last year.
The charity's director of policy and advocacy, Jeff Knott, said: “As a vital indicator of the health of our seas and marine habitats, sea birds are already feeling the impacts of the nature and climate emergency here in the UK.
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"The additional pressure of avian flu across the UK right now is a cause for great concern, as the cumulative three-year effect of this virus, on top of decades of declines amongst our seabirds, could potentially be catastrophic for some of our much loved, and most at risk, species.”
He added: "There is no time to waste, and so all four governments of the UK must urgently publish their long overdue Seabird Conservation Plans to help build the resilience and long-term health of our sea birds.
"Without robust measures to address these challenges, and with Avian Flu ripping across the UK as we speak, our sea bird colonies are being pushed to the brink."
Last month, the north's chief vet, Dr Robert Huey, called on all bird and poultry keepers to "immediately step up their biosecurity measures", adding: "It is imperative that biosecurity measures are the first thing you think about every morning, and the last thing you think about at night – check, check and re-check what you are doing.”
