17/08/07
A new report examining bird population trends has highlighted
a doubling of the overall numbers of 39 species of waterbirds,
ducks, geese, swans and wading birds spending the winter in the
UK in the last three decades. However, the State of the UK’s
Birds 2006 also shows that the wintering populations of some
species are declining, principally, it is suggested, because
of climate change.
Every winter the UK receives two million ducks, geese, swans and
wading birds, from northern Europe, Greenland, Siberia and Arctic
Canada. These birds are attracted to spend the winter in Britain
and Ireland because of the relatively mild climate and ice-free
conditions.
According to the State of the UK’s Birds 2006 report, the
populations of some species, notably wading birds including the
black-tailed godwit and the avocet, have increased markedly since
the late 1970s, largely as a result of conservation action. However,
concerns are growing over the decline in the populations of seven
other regular visitors, including the Greenland white-fronted goose,
European white-fronted goose, shelduck, mallard, pochard, ringed
plover, dunlin and turnstone.
The precise reasons for the decline of each species vary, but
a common theme appears to be climate change. As winters become
milder both in the UK and elsewhere, it appears that some birds
are not forced to fly as far as the UK to find suitable conditions:
this trend has been particularly noted in Northern Ireland with
declines of pochard and Bewick’s swan.
Dr Baz Hughes, head of species conservation at the Wildfowl & Wetlands
Trust, said: “Every winter, the UK’s estuaries, marshes
and wetlands throng with the arrival of ducks, geese, swans and
wading birds, making the UK one of the most important countries
in the world for some of these birds.
“However, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the
declining numbers of some populations. While some are simply taking
advantage of milder winters by staying on the continent, others
like the Greenland white-fronted goose, are in real and rapid decline.
Conservation action is needed urgently to reverse these declines.”
Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s conservation director, said: “The
UK has had both the perfect climate and perfect habitats for these
birds, but the evidence is growing that climate change impacts
are starting to bite. Sea level rise and warmer winters are reducing
their numbers, undermining our importance for birds.”
The BTO’s Dr Mark Rehfisch, one of the report’s authors,
said: “For over 30 years, teams of volunteers have braved
the worst conditions a British winter can muster to count the numbers
of birds visiting each of the UK’s most important sites for
wetland birds. This huge effort has not only contributed to one
of the best sources of bird information in the world, it is also
vital in helping us to understand climate change impacts on the
natural world.”
Natural England's Chief Scientist Tom Tew said: “Sympathetic
and effective management of the UK's world-renowned network of
internationally important waterbird sites and the surrounding countryside
is vital if we are to minimise the adverse impacts of climate change
on our overwintering birds.
“Agri-environment schemes have a crucial role to play by
encouraging land management practices that benefit birds and other
wildlife.”
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