RSPB NI has gathered data that suggests the virus has severely decimated some populations.

Northern Ireland’s seabirds have suffered severe blows due to bird flu, according to RSPB NI.

The charity has carried out further research following the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s annual seabird survey, as part of a new report published by the wider RSPB. While some species showed increases, analysis shows declines among several species that the charity says are most likely attributable to the bird flu outbreak across the UK in winter 2021.

Guillemot numbers had previously appeared to show a rise of 57%, but this latest survey indicates a decline of 25%. Declines have also been recorded in the already red-listed Kittiwake (-29%) and Common Tern (-47%).