How Arctic Birders Are Tackling Climate Change and Avian Flu to Protect Our Fragile Ecosystem

VARDØ, Norway — Vardø, a beautiful town in the Arctic, is struggling with serious challenges that threaten its seabirds. These birds are vital to Norway’s coastal ecosystem, but their numbers are rapidly declining.

Since the 1990s, the population of kittiwakes, a small gull species, has dropped by 80%. Several factors are at play here. Climate change, local fishing practices, predation, and a recent outbreak of bird flu have all taken a toll.

To combat this, local fisherman Jan Vidar Hansen built a “seagull hotel” using crates. This hotel provides a safe space for kittiwakes and other seabirds to nest while helping control odors and mess from the birds. “In the first year, there were 55 nests; last year, 74; and this year, 76,” Hansen shared. He hopes the town council will support creating a larger hotel soon.

Seabirds have deep roots in Vardø’s culture. The local museum even features an exhibit celebrating them. Vardø is known for birdwatching tourism, drawing visitors from afar, in addition to being a radar station essential for U.S. military operations in the region.

Norway’s northern coast is rich in marine life, thanks to the Gulf Stream. This current brings warmer waters and supports a variety of fish species crucial for seabird feeding. However, climate change is now altering these waters, making them warmer than usual. This change disrupts the habitat and forces species to migrate to colder areas, which can impact food sources for seabirds.

For instance, the small schooling fish called capelin, a primary food for kittiwakes, are moving north. Tone Kristin Reiertsen, a researcher at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, points out that when capelin go deeper or migrate, it puts pressure on kittiwakes trying to feed their chicks.

Bird guide Boris Belchev warns about the ripple effects: “I’ve seen birds that usually eat fish starting to eat berries because they can’t find their normal food.” This shifting diet can lead to even more challenges for a bird population already in decline.

The threat of bird flu is another major issue. In 2023 alone, an outbreak killed around 25,000 kittiwakes along the Norwegian coast. Reiertsen described it as feeling like “an apocalypse.”

Vidar Hansen’s seagull hotel is part of a growing initiative, with seven similar structures along the Norwegian coast. While getting the kittiwakes to move in isn’t easy, progress is being made. The population in Vardø has grown from about 300 to approximately 1,300 nesting pairs.

These seabirds play a critical role in the ecosystem. Their droppings enrich the sea, supporting marine life. A significant decline could upset this balance. Reiertsen emphasizes the need for action: “We have to move from merely monitoring to finding solutions.” Some suggestions include limiting fishing zones near nesting sites.

Economically, seabirds are essential for Vardø, too. Nearby Hornøya Island attracts thousands of birdwatchers. Home to 100,000 nesting seabirds, including puffins and guillemots, it’s a popular spot. However, this population has also faced declines, with no common guillemot chicks recorded since 2018.

If tourism to Hornøya drops, local businesses could suffer significantly. “Every small business depends on tourists visiting the island and supporting our town,” says Belchev.

The fate of Vardø’s seabirds is tied to a complex web of environmental and economic factors. Protecting them isn’t just about conservation; it’s about preserving a community’s identity and livelihood.

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