If you go down to the woods today

10 Aug 2017 | No. 2017-24

Latest results from the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) show that everything might not be as it seems, with many of our woodland birds in trouble.

The BBS report is published by the British Trust for Ornithology in partnership with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the RSPB. The latest produced trends for 111 species in the UK and the news for our woodland birds makes interesting reading.

Being a woodland bird in the UK is a bit of a rollercoaster ride, depending on which species you are. The decline in the Willow Tit has seen the breeding population fall by 80%, whilst that of its close relative the Marsh Tit has seen a 41% drop from 1995 to 2015.

Long-distance migrants and fellow woodland species Spotted Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Nightingale are also in trouble. Spotted Flycatcher and Wood Warbler have declined by 38% and 57% respectively in the UK, and Nightingale by 48% in England over the last 23 years. Reasons for these declines vary and could be connected to migration routes, wintering grounds or issues here in UK woodlands. Tracking projects are underway to discover how pressures on migration and on African wintering grounds could affect these breeding trends. However, it’s not all bad news; some of our woodland favourites are doing much better. The Nuthatch, also a regular visitor to gardens, has seen a 90% growth in its breeding population, and that of the onomatopoeic Chiffchaff (it sings its own name) is up by a whopping 109% over the last 23 years.

The report doesn't only look at woodland birds; it reports from all habitats and there are some interesting findings. The non-native Ring-necked Parakeet is seeing its population soar; there are now 15 times more than in 1995. Things are not as rosy for the Turtle Dove; for every 100 Turtle Doves reported in the early 1990s only six remain.

Sarah Harris, BBS Organiser at the BTO, said “The ups and downs of our breeding birds always make for interesting reading but without the help of 2,796 BBS volunteers across the UK who give up their time to get out there and make on-the-ground observations, the trends that we see unfold just wouldn’t be possible to produce; we owe them huge thanks for all their time and effort.”

Deborah Procter, JNCC Senior Monitoring Officer, said “The Breeding Bird Survey produces excellent high-quality data from sites across the UK which enables us to produce population trends for many of our more common breeding birds at UK and country scale. Such data are key to helping us conserve birds and the habitats they depend on.” 

Simon Wotton, RSPB Senior Conservation Scientist, said: “The decline in long-distance migrant birds, such as the Wood Warbler, highlights the need for continued international cooperation across political boundaries and across continents. To understand the reasons for these changes and to halt these declines we must work with others along these migratory routes as birds make their yearly journeys to and from these shores. The long-term picture that schemes such as BBS present to us are important tools for nature conservation so thanks must go to all volunteers involved and the organisations that support them.”

The BBS report is produced annually by the BTO, JNCC and RSPB and is a vital tool in understanding how our breeding birds are doing from year-to-year. The full report can be accessed here.

Notes for Editors

  • The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a UK-wide project aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species. The BBS involves around 2,700 participants who survey more than 3,800 sites across the UK, enabling us to monitor the population changes of over 111 bird species. Knowing to what extent bird populations are increasing or decreasing is fundamental to bird conservation.
  • In 2016, 3,837 BBS squares were surveyed across the UK by 2,796 dedicated volunteers, to whom we are incredibly grateful.
  • The latest report can be found at www.bto.org/bbs-report
  • RSPB Centre for Conservation ScienceWood Warbler tracking
  • BTO and Anglian WaterNightingale tracking
  • The Breeding Bird Survey is run by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and is jointly funded by BTO, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) (on behalf of the Department of  Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs – Northern Ireland, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage), and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
  • This important survey is carried out by volunteer birdwatchers throughout the UK, who receive no financial reward or expenses for their efforts. We are indebted to them for their tremendous support.
  • The BTO is the UK's leading bird research organisation. Up to 60,000 birdwatchers contribute to the BTO's surveys. They collect information that forms the basis of conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 100 at its offices in Thetford, Stirling, Bangor (Wales) and Bangor (Northern Ireland), who analyse and publicise the results of project work. The BTO's investigations are funded by government, industry and conservation organisations.

Contact Details

Sarah Harris
(Breeding Bird Survey Organiser, BTO)

Office: 01842 750050
(9am to 5.30pm)
Email: sarah.harris [at] bto.org
 
Paul Stancliffe
(BTO Press Officer)

Office: 01842 750050
(9am to 5.30pm)
Mobile: 07585 440910 (anytime)
Email: press [at] bto.org
 
Wendy Dalton
(JNCC Communications Advisor)

Office: 01733 866884
Email: Communications [at] jncc.gov.uk
 
Harry Bellew
(RSPB Media Officer)

Office: 01767 693418
Email: harry-jay.bellew [at] rspb.org.uk

Images are available for use alongside this News Release. Please contact images [at] bto.org quoting reference August 2017-24

The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews. Please contact us to book an interview Office: 01842 750050


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