Bird Species on the Decline

[laurab]

A big decline in numbers of long-distance migrant birds has been uncovered by a new survey. Population of species such as the Tree Pipet and the Spotted Flycatcher fell by up to 70 % in some areas.

Declining species - Lesser Redpoll, Willow Tit, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Wood Warbler, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Garden Warbler, Hawfinch & Redstart.

[laurab]

Hey you! Stop pushing my post below yours :lol:

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

Who are you arguing with mate?:lol:

Back to the point, I think it is way out of order that the UK has strict controls in place regarding our native Bird Species, when they migrate to or through the Continent it is OK for OUR Birds to be trapped or shot on the Continent.:shock:
The Birds that we see here in the UK during the Winter months are not our own resident Species, but Birds that travel here from Northern Countries for the Winter, so when these Winter visitors migrate North to breed, we are left with a small handful of Birds that avoided being trapped and make it back to breed in the UK.

The RSPB, RSPCA, (or whoever will hopefully replace these two corrupt organisations in the near future) as well as DEFRA, the BTO etc, need to enforce the laws that are present in the UK and make sure the same is done accross the whole of Europe!

Of the Bird Species that you have mentioned declining at an alarming rate, Tree Pipit, I don't think I have ever seen this Species in the wild, Spotted Flycatcher, I have only ever seen this Species once in the wild, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker once, and Hawfinch never, the rest I have seen only a few times.

But there are many other native UK Birds that I should have seen on my travels and not had the privilege,:( efforts need to be made to ensure that we don't lose many of our native wild Birds right now!!

Our own House Sparrows and Starlings are on an obvious decline, but how about the Song Thrush amongst others?

I have seen only one Song Thrush so far this year, what native Bird Species have the rest of you noticed to be in decline?

Paul.

[gregd]

Hi Paul,

the only endemic bird to the UK is the Scottish Crossbill. The numbers of which I believe are on the increase:-D

It reamains however on scedule 4 and I hope continues to recieve the protection it deserves.

The numbers of crossbills being kept, of various sub species, appears to be on the increase but only defra could confirm this. The number of crossbills being bred under humane conditions also appears to be on the incresae reflected by the slight drop in price.

This provides an indication that the laws applying to wild birds in the UK are effective and are having the desired results in realation to illegal activities on our shores.

With respect to the birds we see in winter then I think, correct me if I am wrong, I know you will:-D, that the uk population of many species is largely supplemented by an influx of birds from northern Europe. The garden bird survey results, which are conducted during this period then can only serve to inflate the numbers of these birds artificially as they do not represent the true uk breeding population.

If these birds are then trapped, shot etc on the continent resulting in a lower than expected number of winter visitotrs then this would skew significantly the already unrealistically high numbers of uk birds.

Could it not be that the uk population is in fact relatively stable but that our resident birds are being forced out of towns etc due to increased developments.

If you want to see flycatchers, house and tree sparrows, starlings, crossbills, lesser redpolls, song thrush, goldfinches and bullfinches come to South West Scotland.:-D

In fact there may be a commercial opportunity there

Greg

[Waxbillman]

hello Greg,

the problem with global climate change, could we lose to the Scottish crossbill in a few years to come?
i thought the sub-species of Red Grouse we have in Britain is also endemic. where they are are aren't they are lovely birds to watch.

Matthew