Seabird populations recover in Solent region after flu
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RSPB staff and volunteers helped sandwich terns rebound in Pagham Harbour, West Sussex, after a devastating avian flu outbreak in 2022.
The colony went from zero breeding pairs to 756 in just three years through dedicated conservation work. This success extended to other species along the Solent coastline, including little terns, ringed plovers, oystercatchers, and black-headed gulls, all of which saw population increases.
Conservation efforts included creating safer nesting areas, such as new islands in saline lagoons at Ferry Pool, and protective fencing to keep out predators like foxes. Rangers and volunteers also patrolled the area to minimize disturbance from visitors and their dogs, and managed vegetation to create more nesting space. The sandwich terns at Pagham Harbour produced 570 fledglings this summer, marking one of the largest colonies ever recorded in the Solent region.
Black-headed gull numbers increased tenfold, from 51 fledglings in 2025 to 504 in 2026. These improvements are part of the larger Solent Seascape project, a partnership working to restore coastal habitats across 52,000 hectares (128,000 acres) between the south coast of England and the Isle of Wight.
