Scarce Woodland Bird Survey
(2005-2006)

Much publicity has been given to declining farmland bird populations in recent years, but all is not well in our woodlands either and several woodland and scrub species have declined significantly. The BTO’s Common Birds Census suggests that breeding numbers of 12 species have gone down by more than 30% in our woodlands since the late 1960s: Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Whitethroat, Redpoll, Tree Pipit, Willow Tit, Marsh Tit, Woodcock, Dunnock, Willow Warbler, Song Thrush and Bullfinch.

As yet, we don’t really know why these declines are taking place, although there is a lengthy list of possible explanations. In 2005 and 2006, the BTO, in partnership with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, undertook a ‘Scarce Woodland Bird Survey’ to produce better information on the habitats used by woodland birds. Volunteers looked carefully at sites where these birds occurred, and also where they did not occur, with the aim of identifying critical habitat needs of a range of species. There were two parts to the survey, the main one being Woodland Walks.

1. Woodland Walks. Volunteers chose 2 woodlands of a similar type (i.e. both broad-leaved or both coniferous with a similar range of growth stages). Ideally one of these woods was known to be ‘good’ and contain a number of the target species and at least one of the 8 Key Species (see list below). The second wood was either known to be poor or was an ‘unknown’ site. Chosen woods were visited twice during the breeding season (end of March to end of June) and recorded on maps all encounters with the target species.

2. Casual Records. For those interested in helping out, but not able to take on a full survey.

Target species covered by the survey. 8 Key Species in bold:

The survey proved very popular, with over 1,500 woods surveyed over the two years. We are currently digitising and inputting the data that was collected and will begin to analyse it by the end of 2007. We are very grateful to all the volunteers who took part in collecting this huge volume of data. A summary of results will appear here as soon as it is available.