Solent’s birds bounce back after avian flu wipeout

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 19, 2026

Seabird breeding populations along the Solent coast, including sandwich terns at Pagham Harbour, have rebounded significantly after avian influenza caused severe declines in 2022. This recovery, driven by extensive conservation efforts such as predator control and habitat management, highlights the effectiveness of long-term protection measures amid ongoing coastal habitat loss.

The breeding populations of several seabird species along the Solent coast have shown a significant recovery following severe declines caused by avian influenza in 2022. At Pagham Harbour, the colony of sandwich terns, which had been completely wiped out by bird flu that year, rebounded to 756 breeding pairs in the most recent breeding season. This resurgence represents one of the largest colonies ever recorded in the Solent region.

Other shorebird species along the West Sussex coastline have also experienced population increases. Little terns, ringed plovers, oystercatchers, and black-headed gulls have all seen growth in their breeding numbers. Black-headed gull fledgling counts rose tenfold, from 51 in 2025 to 504 this year, while little tern numbers increased from 21 to 34. Additionally, avocets have expanded their presence, with 18 pairs nesting on new islands within a saline lagoon at Ferry Pool, part of the wider Pagham nature reserve.

The improvements follow sustained conservation efforts spearheaded by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and supported by volunteers along approximately 52,000 hectares of coastline and estuary. These measures included the installation of predator-exclusion fencing to deter mammals such as foxes, continuous monitoring for invasive rats, patrols to limit egg and chick predation, and selective vegetation clearance to ensure suitable nesting habitat for ground-nesting shorebirds.

Wez Smith, senior project manager for the RSPB, highlighted the challenges faced during the 2022 avian influenza outbreak, which led to the abandonment of breeding colonies at Pagham Harbour. “It’s taken several years of dedicated conservation action, but the situation began to ‘tern’ around last year, and the site is thriving with record-breaking populations,” Smith said.

Public engagement has also formed a key part of these conservation efforts. Rangers and volunteers have conducted regular patrols to educate visitors and local residents about the sensitivities of ground-nesting birds, while providing dog-friendly exercise areas away from breeding zones to reduce disturbance.

Further support for vulnerable species comes from the installation of predator-free nesting rafts at nearby reserves, such as RSPB Medmerry and West Hayling in Hampshire, boosting numbers of common terns and black-headed gulls.

These initiatives are integral components of the Solent Seascape project, a long-term partnership coordinated by the Blue Marine Foundation alongside a consortium of charities and institutions. The project's wider environmental report highlights the decline of critical coastal habitats across the UK, noting that about 95% of native oyster reefs, 85% of salt marshes, and over 90% of seagrass meadows have vanished over the past century due to disturbance, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change. The recovery of seabirds in the Solent region underscores the positive impact of sustained conservation action amid these broader ecological challenges.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.