The British Trust for Ornithology
NIGHTINGALE
Luscinia megarhynchos
Conservation listings

Table 4/Amber (25-49% Distribution decline)
Biodiversity Steering Group Conservation Concern List
  Long-term trend
UK: Probable decline
Status summary
In 1999, the BTO organised a national survey of Nightingales which showed marked range contractions, but only a small overall population decline (8%) since the previous survey in 1980 (Wilson et al. 2002). Nightingales are restricted in distribution in the UK and their preferred habitats are not covered well by the CBC. Nevertheless, detailed analysis of the available CBC data show a smooth, continuing decline (G.M. Siriwardena, unpubl.) and the CES is suggestive of a similar pattern, at least until 1997. Nightingales may be affected by cold and wet springs, and the CES indicates a decline in productivity in the 1980s.
Table of population changes for Nightingale
Source Period
(yrs)		 Years Plots
(n)		 Change
(%)		 Lower
limit		 Upper
limit		 Alert Comment
CES adults 15 1984-1999 11 -17 . .   Small sample
  10 1989-1999 11 10 . .   Small sample
  5 1994-1999 14 44 . .   Small sample
CES juveniles 15 1984-1999 7 -59 . . [>50] Small sample
  10 1989-1999 7 4 . .   Small sample
  5 1994-1999 8 -19 . .   Small sample
The Breeding Bird Survey is jointly funded by BTO, JNCC and RSPB
Table of productivity information for Nightingale
Variable Period
(yrs)		 Years Mean
annual
sample		 Trend Predicted
in first year		 Predicted
in last year		 Change Comment
Percentage juveniles (CES) 15 1984-1999 13 Smoothed trend 265 productivity index 100 productivity index -62%[>50] Small sample
Percentage juveniles (CES) 10 1989-1999 13 Smoothed trend 125 productivity index 100 productivity index -20% Small sample
Percentage juveniles (CES) 5 1994-1999 17 Smoothed trend 229 productivity index 100 productivity index -56%[>50] Small sample

 

Insufficient data on clutch size
available for this species

 

 

Insufficient data on brood size
available for this species

 

 

Insufficient data on nest failure
available for this species

 

 

Insufficient data on nestling failure
available for this species

 
Insufficient data on laying date
available for this species




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This report should be cited as:
Baillie, S.R., Crick, H.Q.P., Balmer, D.E., Beaven, L.P., Downie, I.S., Freeman, S.N., Leech, D.I., Marchant, J.H.,
Noble, D.G., Raven, M.J., Simpkin, A.P., Thewlis, R.M. and Wernham, C.V. (2002) Breeding Birds in the Wider
Countryside: their conservation status 2001. BTO Research Report No. 278. BTO, Thetford. (http://www.bto.org/birdtrends)

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