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Storms Devastate UK Seabirds: Crisis Deepens
21 Feb
Summary
- Storms Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra caused widespread devastation.
- Ten of UK's 25 seabird species are now on the Red List.
- Thousands of birds washed ashore in France, Spain, and Portugal.
Severe winter storms, notably Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra, have inflicted considerable damage on both human populations and wildlife. The RSPB has raised alarms regarding UK seabirds, which are already facing a crisis with two-thirds of species in decline.
This situation is a stark contrast to 1996 when only one seabird species was on the UK's Red List. Today, ten of the 25 breeding seabird species, including puffins and kittiwakes, are listed as threatened. France's bird protection charity reports 15,000 birds have washed ashore there this year, with thousands more in Spain and Portugal.
Rescue centers in France are overwhelmed, necessitating the transfer of sick birds. Experts believe rough seas made feeding difficult for birds wintering at sea, likely from UK and northern European populations. These birds were caught in recent storms, leading to a tragic journey ashore where many were found dead or dying.
