As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Monday, 23 June 2014

Starlings are on the decline in south east

6:00pm Wednesday 18th June 2014 in News

THEY put on a dazzling performance for the people of Brighton and Hove each year.

But birdwatchers will be disappointed to hear that starlings could be slowly vanishing.

UK populations of the British bird have seen their numbers drop by 84% since 1979, according to the latest figures from the voluntary RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch survey.

In the South East numbers of the beloved bird have plummeted by 58% from 1995 to 2010, a figure that continues to fall.

A spokesperson from the South East RSPB said although there is no clear explanation for the fall in numbers, the increasing lack of foraging areas means they are less likely to breed.

In recent years changes in farmland practice, development cutting the amount of grassland and draining of permanent pastures have attributed to the destruction of potential foraging areas for the starling.

Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, says: “Many garden birds rely on us humans for help.

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