Bird species becoming more scarce in Warwickshire

The greenfinch population in Warwickshire appears to have fallen dramatically in the past decade.

Andy Morris9th Apr, 2019

SOME bird species in Warwickshire appear to be dwindling.

The results of this year’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Big Garden Birdwatch – which sees people spend an hour counting birds in their garden – revealed there were fewer sightings of nearly half of the top 20 species than a decade ago.

The biggest fall was among the greenfinch population which saw less than half the number spotted in 2009.

Sightings of song thrushes, chaffinches, collared doves, dunnocks, starlings and blackbirds were also significantly down on ten years ago.

The January count – the 40th anniversary of the event – saw the house sparrow keep its top spot for sightings in Warwickshire.

Sightings of goldfinches were up significantly, while the number of house sparrows, wood pigeons, magpies, long tailed tits, jackdaws, carrion crows and feral pigeons also rose.

Samantha Lyster, from the RSPB in the Midlands, said: “People are becoming more and more aware of the challenges and threats that our UK wildlife is currently facing.

“Citizen science surveys, such as our Big Garden Birdwatch, really help empower people of all ages and backgrounds to play an active part in conservation, and to speak out for the wildlife they love and want to protect.”

Visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch for more information.

Source

Greenfinch destined for UK Red List?

21/12/2017

The 20th annual BirdTrends report from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has been published, notably highlighting the rapid and alarming decline of Greenfinch.

Though still a familiar garden bird, Greenfinch has declined by 59 per cent in the UK in just 10 years, prompting concerns for its status. The species was not classified as of conservation concern when the UK's list was last updated in 2015 but, should the current rate of decline continue, it could be moved straight to the Red List in the next update. The decline is caused by a widespread and severe outbreak of a disease called trichomonosis, which was first noted affecting bird populations in 2006.

In contrast, one species that is doing particularly well is Common Chiffchaff, which is continuing to increase its breeding range and population. Record numbers of this small Phylloscopus warbler were caught by bird ringers on their constant effort ringing sites. Once a very rare sight during the colder months, this species is benefiting from milder winters and can increasingly be seen on sunny days in sheltered locations throughout Britain, particularly in the milder coastal areas and around inland waterbodies.

The BirdTrends report covers 120 of Britain's commonest and most widespread birds, from Mute Swan to Corn Bunting, and it makes for interesting reading. The data covered in the report were gathered by thousands of volunteer citizen scientists, who each year record the birds on their patch to track how well they are doing.

Some count the birds they record on two early morning survey visits. The Breeding Bird Survey covers all habitats and volunteers are allocated a nearby square from a pre-selected list. Volunteer Alan Gomersall was initially disappointed not to get a square in the countryside but, after 20 years of recording in a Bedfordshire housing estate, said: "I am glad I continued, I have found a surprising number of different species over the years and it has been fascinating to see the changes; in 2003 I counted 50 Greenfinches, this year they were down to just five."

To access the report, please visit www.bto.org/about-birds/birdtrends/2017.

Good table manners could save greenfinch

29th November 2014

Good hygiene at bird tables, feeders and baths has been flagged up as a way of helping to halt a decline of one Britain's most colourful birds.

A rapid fall in numbers of greenfinches was first noticed in 2006 and linked to trichomonosis, a parasite-induced disease that stops them from feeding.

Cleaning tables and feeders has been recommended in the past.

The RSPB has renewed the advice after a new report suggested greenfinches were continuing to decline.

The Index of Abundance for Scottish Terrestrial Breeding Birds report was published by Scottish Natural Heritage last week.

The fall in finches has been a long-time concern for the British Trust for Ornithology.

Chaffinches, house Sparrows, dunnocks, great tits and siskins are also at risk to the disease.

Continued ...