Seabird Numbers Bounce Back in Solent After 2022 Avian Flu Wipeout 2026

Seabird numbers in the Solent region have bounced back dramatically after the 2022 avian flu wipeout, with sandwich terns returning from zero to 756 breeding pairs in just three years. The colony at Pagham Harbour in West Sussex was completely devastated by bird flu in 2022, but conservation work by the RSPB and volunteers has led to a remarkable recovery.

The turnaround spans 52,000 hectares of coastline and estuary between the south coast and the Isle of Wight, and offers a rare piece of good news for UK wildlife after years of devastating avian flu outbreaks.

What Happened at Pagham Harbour?

In 2022, the sandwich tern colony at Pagham Harbour nature reserve was completely wiped out by avian flu. The virus, which spread rapidly among wild birds, left zero breeding pairs at the site. It was a severe blow to a species that had been struggling across Europe.

But this summer, RSPB staff and volunteers recorded 756 breeding pairs at Pagham Harbour, producing 570 fledglings—one of the largest colonies ever recorded in the Solent region. The recovery from zero to hundreds of pairs in just three years is a testament to targeted conservation action.

How Did Conservation Efforts Drive the Recovery?

The RSPB's work across the Solent focused on creating safer nesting conditions for ground-nesting birds. At Ferry Pool, newly created islands within a saline lagoon provided secure nesting areas for avocets, with 18 pairs nesting there this year. Special fencing was installed to exclude predators such as foxes, and staff monitored for rats while conducting in-person patrols to reduce predation.

Selective removal of vegetation also helped, making space for shorebirds to nest. These combined efforts gave seabirds the breathing room they needed to rebound after the flu outbreak.

Which Other Species Have Benefited?

The recovery isn't limited to sandwich terns. Breeding little terns, ringed plovers, oystercatchers and black-headed gulls have all increased along the same coastline. Black-headed gulls saw a ten-fold increase from 51 fledglings in 2025 to 504 in 2026, while little terns rose from 21 to 34 fledglings over the same period.

These gains suggest that the conservation measures are benefiting a range of shorebird species, not just the most visible ones. The Solent's mix of coastline and estuary habitats supports diverse bird communities, and the RSPB's work appears to be paying off across the board.

Key Takeaways for Conservation

• Sandwich terns at Pagham Harbour went from zero breeding pairs in 2022 to 756 in 2025.
• Predator control—including fencing and patrols—was critical to nesting success.
• Habitat creation, such as islands in saline lagoons, provided safer nesting sites.
• Multiple species benefited, including black-headed gulls and little terns.
• Volunteer and staff efforts across 52,000 hectares made the difference.

Species Recovery at a Glance

The table illustrates the scale of the turnaround. While sandwich terns are the headline story, the consistent gains across species show that a suite of measures—from predator exclusion to habitat management—can deliver results even after a catastrophic event like the 2022 avian flu outbreak.

Why This Matters Beyond the Solent

Avian flu has caused widespread mortality in seabird colonies across the North Atlantic, and many species have been slow to recover. The Solent's success offers a model for how rapid, targeted conservation can help populations bounce back. It also highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and flexible management. Context on how this played out before sits in Seabird Numbers Bounce Back in Solent After 2022 Avian Flu Wipeout. A companion piece, Midnight Subway Shifts: Serving Clubbers, Cops and Sailors, approaches the same subject from another angle.

Wez Smith, senior project manager for the RSPB, noted the significance of the recovery, though his full comments are not included here. The fact that sandwich terns returned to Pagham Harbour in such numbers suggests that when threats are managed, seabirds can be remarkably resilient. The background to this story is set out in Business: latest articles. A related thread runs through MLB Grand Teton Game Proposal Sparks Major Backlash.

What to Watch Next

The RSPB will continue to monitor the colonies to ensure the recovery is sustained. Future challenges include potential new avian flu outbreaks, climate change impacts on coastal habitats, and pressure from human disturbance. The lessons learned here—about predator control, habitat creation, and volunteer engagement—could be applied to other vulnerable sites. Earlier coverage in HS2 Rewilding Project Creates Thriving Wildlife Habitat shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Yvette Cooper Calls for Sacking NHS Staff Who Accessed Tiger.

For now, the Solent stands as a rare good-news story in UK conservation, proving that even after a wipeout, nature can come roaring back with a little help. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Tern Colonies in England Show Remarkable Recovery After Decline. The same theme surfaces in Puffin Bird Facts: The Paradoxical Seabird with a Fighting Spirit, which takes a different angle.