The Nightingale Appeal

Above from left to right: Maps from the 1968-72, 1988-91 and 2007-11 Breeding Atlases.

Nightingale population fallen by 50%   

How you can help>

 

Breeding Distribution of Nightingales in 1999
(data from the Nightingale Survey

The Nightingale population declined by a staggering 53% between 1995 - 2008 (Breeding Bird Survey Data) and the emerging picture from Bird Atlas 2007-11 indicates that their range is continuing to contract towards the extreme south-east of England, despite massive, local conservation efforts in traditional coppice and scrub habitats. The maps above show just how drastic the situation has become for Nightingales.

We have been concerned about the Nightingale for sometime and in 1999 carried out a Nightingale Survey, the results of which are shown to the left.

Building on Bird Atlas data

Although we have gathered much data from the Atlas, the nocturnal habits of Nightingales and their tendency to move in to new areas create special challenges, so we need to look at the data at a finer scale. There is also a suspicion that there could be a significant proportion of unpaired males amongst singing birds – and this needs to be investigated.

 

Change in breeding distribution of Nightingales between
1990 and 2011 (Bird Atlas 2007 -11). Black = Loss, Red= Gain.

On the right you can see another of the latest maps produced from Bird Atlas 2007-11 which shows the change in breeding distribution and whether a loss or gain has been made in the last 21 years. The black triangles signify a loss and far outnumber those red upward triangles which herald a gain.

Likely candidate for red-listing

The decline shown by the Nightingale is so great that the species would qualify for the Red List as a Species of Conservation Concern. We now plan to fund further research to investigate why these declines  continue – whilst there are still sufficient birds to study.

New survey and further research needed

Thirteen years on it is time for another Nightingale Survey in 2012. Maintaining high quality habitat in these core areas will be crucial if the species is to survive as a breeding bird in Britain.

A BTO appeal in 1998 funded a variety of work on Nightingales and woodland birds. However, there are still plenty of questions to answer in order to understand what is happening to Nightingales across the board. 

In addition to the new 2012 survey and habitat studies, we plan to learn more about Nightingales on their wintering grounds and on migration. For more information on the work planned, please take a look at the Nightingale Appeal Brochure.

You can help Nightingales by supporting BTO's Nightingale Appeal
 

 

If you are worried about the Nightingale and would like to help our research, you can help by:

- making a donation

- setting up a regular gift

- or by buying the rereleased 'Nightingales: A celebration' CD

Find out how you can help.