Home / Environment / Bass Rock Gannets Plummet: Avian Flu's Devastating Impact Revealed
Bass Rock Gannets Plummet: Avian Flu's Devastating Impact Revealed
2 Apr
Summary
- Northern gannet population on Bass Rock dropped by nearly a third due to bird flu.
- Breeding success remains low despite population stabilization since 2022.
- Drone and camera surveys provide unprecedented insight into colony health.
The population of northern gannets on Bass Rock, a vital colony off North Berwick, has declined by approximately 30% following a severe bird flu outbreak. Drone surveys conducted in July 2025 revealed a stabilization in numbers compared to the devastating breeding season of 2022. However, the colony's population remains significantly lower than pre-outbreak figures, with an estimated 52,459 occupied nesting sites identified.
Despite the stabilization, breeding success is still considered low. Researchers from multiple institutions utilized drone imagery for population estimates and remote cameras to monitor chick-rearing. These technologies have provided a clearer understanding of the colony's struggles, highlighting the loss of experienced adult birds and ongoing difficulties faced by seabirds at sea. Conservationists are urging intensified efforts to protect these birds and support their recovery.
