Some birds under threat of dying out across Britain appear to be
making a comeback, a major annual survey shows.
Some birds under threat of dying out across Britain appear to be
making a comeback, a major annual survey shows.
Bird populations across the UK are almost ten per cent higher than
ten years ago according to the government's indicator of wild bird
populations for 2004, published today.
Warmer winters and more environment-friendly farming may be helping
many scarce birds, while species including the Chiffchaff, Greenfinch
and Whitethroat are also showing strong signs of recovery.
There have been large increases in some upland and wetland birds such
as Buzzard and Little Ringed Plover, while Kingfisher and Peregrine
Falcon have recovered from previously low numbers.
The overall farmland birds index has been stable since 1994 although
it shows a small decline between 2003 and 2004. As well as
Whitethroat and Greenfinch, there are encouraging signs of recovery
for Tree Sparrow.
Defra is committed to reversing the long-term decline in the number
of farmland birds by 2020. New agri-environment schemes in England,
backed by £150m a year, include a range of measures that will have
widespread benefits for farmland birds.
The index of woodland bird populations has not changed significantly
since 1994, and is about 15 per cent lower than in the early 1970s.
Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker, as well as Chiffchaff,
are doing well, although species such as the Lesser Redpoll, Lesser
Spotted Woodpecker and Spotted Flycatcher are still in decline.
The index of coastal bird populations has risen by two per cent since
1994. Species faring well include Puffin and Gannet although
Kittiwake, Little Tern and Fulmar have been in decline since 1994.
Elliot Morley, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, said:
"I am pleased to see that a long-term decline in some species has
stabilised and improved in recent years, particularly among some of
the most threatened, but there is still cause for concern - for
example, in the case of Grey Partridge, Turtle Dove and Willow Tit.
"The exact reasons for changes in various populations are largely
unknown and often very complex. We have several research projects on
the go, but they may not provide easy or short-term answers.
"However, more and more farmers are joining our new environmental
stewardship scheme - now covering more than one million hectares in
England alone - which can secure many more safe breeding and feeding
grounds for farmland birds and other wildlife.
"Bird populations are a good gauge of the general state of our
wildlife and countryside. This government is committed to supporting
and working with farmers and others to restore and enhance the
habitats and conditions necessary for our precious birds to survive
and thrive."
Today's figures were compiled by the Royal Society for the Protection
of Birds (RSPB) and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Mark Avery, RSPB Director of Conservation said:
"The wild bird indicator is really showing its worth and will become
increasingly important as we measure progress towards the
government's target of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010."
Jeremy Greenwood, BTO Director, said:
"Once again this shows that the extensive network of volunteers
around the country are doing an outstanding job at helping us to
understand population changes in British birds. Their meticulous
recording and submission of information means that we can accurately
monitor the fates of our birds."
To see today's statistics in full go to
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/051020b.htm
The wild bird population indicator is one of 20 UK Framework
Indicators under the UK government's Sustainable Development Strategy
http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/index.htm. The indicator
covers 111 species of breeding birds native to the UK, but excludes
introduced and rare species.
See also http://www.rspb.org.uk/ and http://www.bto.org/
+ + + + EXTRA NEWS + + + +
Tony Duckels had water rail, 3 common snipe and 2 jack snipe and 6 snow buntings on the beach between Weld Road, Birkdale and Ainsdale on Sunday last _ very wintry!
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