UK News / 'Common' birds at risk / Christopher Elliott

'Common' birds at risk

Christopher Elliott

LAPWINGS, tawny owls and yellow wagtails are among seven once common birds
which have been placed on the endangered list after the most comprehensive
analysis of population trends of 100 species ever undertaken for the Government.
They join 10 other species already on the list -- the vast majority of which
have declined by 50 per cent over the past 25 years -- which have been given
high alert status.
The report, by the British Trust for Ornithology for the Government's Joint
Nature Conservation Committee, draws on six different bird surveys to
produce a devastating picture of the British bird population, the first of
its kind.
The 17 birds given "high alert" status include the tree sparrow, whose
numbers have fallen 95 per cent, grasshopper warbler (91 per cent), grey
partridge (86 per cent), corn bunting (80 per cent) and spotted flycatcher
(79 per cent). These are followed by the yellow wagtail (74 per cent),
redpoll (72 per cent), woodcock and turtle dove (both 69 per cent).
The report shows 23 other birds on "medium alert", with numbers of most
declining by between a quarter and a half. They include such familiar birds
as the blackbird, little owl, kingfisher, raven, yellowhammer, grey and pied
wagtails and greenfinch. Even the starling is not as common as it once was,
and is on the medium alert list.
Humphrey Crick, the senior author of the report, said last week: "The 17
birds on high alert are the real losers of the modern age -- and this is the
first comprehensive report to say so. We are losing these birds at a
tremendous rate and many may not survive for much longer.
"The decline of farmland species such as the skylark and grey partridge have
been well documented, but it is worrying to see the familiar tawny owl on
the high alert list, along with birds from other habitats such as the tree
pipit, woodcock and grasshopper warbler."
The 165-page report was prepared for the JNCC last September, but a summary
of its findings was only published in the BTO newsletter last week. Dr Crick
said the the decline was largely due to loss of habitat, food sources and
breeding failure. "The decline of the lapwings is probably due to the loss
of spring cereals, which means less stubble," Dr Crick said. "But then there
is also a problem for the bird with the loss of mixed farming, and therefore
pasture, as once the eggs are hatched the birds like to take the chicks into
the pasture.
"The problem for corn buntings is probably the switch from spring wheat to
winter wheat, which gives more seed for the farmer but less stubble for the
birds."
Some birds have learned to adapt and even thrive. Swallows and goldfinches
have recovered and are no longer endangered, while 13 other species have
more than doubled over the past 25 years. These include the nuthatch,
redstart and great spotted woodpecker. Six species have done well by
exploiting grain farming or eating wildlife killed by cars.
The Guardian Weekly Volume 158 Issue 6 for week ending February 8, 1998

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- Jack

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Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jbowling at direct.ca