Bird flu (avian influenza) has devastated the Black-headed gull colony at Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve this year. My estimate is gull numbers are reduced by some 75%. The Common Terns failed to arrive in any numbers. Larger Gull – such as Herring Gulls, Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls number are fewer. So this has given Avocets space to build their nests and without predators, the Avocet chicks get a head start.
A pair of Avocets mate.
Continued Reflections from my World. 
have you found many dead Andy?
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they {rangers} were picking 70 plus 1st few days but now over the peak
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that’s a lot! Imagine how many are dropping in the woods and not recovered!
We haven’t had any?
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and into the sea
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That’s a shame to lose that many gull, or any birds for that matter due to this disease.
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hope it is over the worst
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I hope so too Andy. I worry about our birds breathing all this wildfire smoke too.
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