UK Woodland Birds are Declining

Posted by Rosemary Drisdelle Jul 22, 2008

Just over a year ago, national Audubon released results of long-term surveys that indicated many common North American birds are in decline – some, such as the Northern Bobwhite by as much as 80%. Now the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has similar news about woodland birds in the UK. Their breeding bird survey, done annually since 1994, shows a number of species have lost about half of their population while one, the Willow Tit, has declined by more than three quarters.

The RSPB says it’s not a case of habitat loss, but points out that woodland characteristics in the UK have changed due to forestry management and an increase in deer populations. It seems the woodland doesn’t support as many birds as it did before. Some of the declining species are migrants who leave the UK to winter elsewhere. Dangers that they encounter while migrating and conditions in their winter ranges may account for some of the loss as well.

It’s discouraging that so many bird species are declining around the world. The RSPB points out, however, that their data indicates some species are doing well: stonechats, nuthatches, buzzards, and Grasshopper Warblers are showing increased populations and ranges.

Read the details at RSPB News