Press Releases - November/December 2007
Item 2

No. 2007/11/78
November 2007

Birds count cost of awful summer

Of the 25 bird species monitored by BTO bird ringers, seven had their worst breeding season ever. One of the worst hit was the Blue Tit. During the summer, bird ringers were catching only half the number of juvenile Blue Tits as would have been expected in an average year, the appalling weather of May, June and July having taken its toll.

The seven biggest losers in 2007 (all with their worst ever productivity) were:
Blue Tit (48% below the long-term average)
Great Tit (33% below normal)
Reed Warbler (27% below normal)
Whitethroat (25% below normal)
Willow Warbler (19% below normal)
Treecreepers and Willow Tits were also at their lowest levels (55% and 63% below average) but, as only small numbers are caught, these figures may be unrepresentative.

There is one positive story though: Long-tailed Tits had their highest ever productivity this year, showing an increase of 48% on the long-term average. They are early nesters – building nests in February and March – and may well have taken full advantage of the great April weather.

The British Trust for Ornithology has been measuring bird productivity for 25 years, using the Constant Effort Sites Scheme, funded under the BTO/JNCC partnership (Note 2). Trained, volunteer bird ringers around the country put up the same nets in the same sites on twelve occasions every summer. By looking at how many adult and how many juvenile birds are caught, they can get a very good idea of how successful the breeding season has been.

Mark Grantham, who runs the Constant Effort Scheme, said:
“For resident birds, such as Blue and Great Tits, it will be interesting to see how they cope with the poor season. Most may well be able to bounce back next year, but it is more serious for the migratory species (Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler). These are already suffering problems both on migration and in Africa, so a poor breeding season just adds to their plight.”

Some Blue Tits in southern England fledged before the bad weather started but, from stories told to BTO staff by birdwatchers from around the country, it seems as if most Blue Tits were not quite this early and that many died in nest boxes. As Mark explains:
“The cold, wet weather over the early summer will have made life incredibly tough for adults that still had hungry youngsters in boxes. Each Blue Tit chick (up to 12 in a box) will need around 100 caterpillars every day, and finding enough caterpillars in the poor weather we’ve seen is no mean feat.”

Newly-fledged, fluffy juveniles experienced problems too:
• Young birds have far fewer* feathers than their parents and get wet and cold much more easily
• In wet weather, caterpillars are washed off leaves, making finding food much harder – especially as youngsters have little idea of how to fend for themselves.

(* important to get out of the nest as quickly as possible, to avoid predation. Youngsters grow extra feathers a few weeks after they leave the nest)

Please see over for Notes for Editors

Notes for Editors

1. The Constant Effort Sites Scheme is just one way in which volunteer bird ringers help us to understand how and why bird numbers are changing. Ringing takes place all-year-round and covers a much broader range of species, including waterbirds and other winter visitors.
2. BTO volunteers ring over 850,000 birds every year. Part of the BTO Ringing Scheme is funded by a partnership of the BTO and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales, and also on behalf of the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland). The scheme also receives support from Duchas the Heritage Service – National Parks and Wildlife (Ireland). The volunteer ringers give freely of their time and expertise and also provide a substantial part of the Scheme’s funding.
3. Ringing, as a practical science, can only be learnt by working with a qualified Trainer, of which there are over 300 in the country. The BTO runs the Ringing Scheme and issues ringing permits under license from the Government agencies. After undergoing a period of training, usually of two years or more, a successful trainee is awarded a C permit, allowing him or her to ring alone, but still on behalf of a trainer. See: www.bto.org/ringing/ringinfo/become-a-ringer.htm or e-mail
4. Reports of ringed or colour-ringed birds can be reported via the web at www.ring.ac
5. Images are available for use alongside this News Release. Please contact quoting reference 2007-11-78.
6. The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews.

For further information please contact:

Mark Grantham on 01842 750050 or e-mail: (during office hours)
or mobile 07818 497470(anytime)

Paul Stancliffe (Press Officer) on 01842 750050 or e-mail: (during office hours)
or mobile 07845 900559 (anytime)