A new report published today by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), in partnership with RSPB and JNCC, reveals impacts of Avian Influenza on Mute Swans across the UK. The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) report also highlights the importance of maintaining protected areas for key wintering and migratory wildfowl and waders. The UK is host to internationally important numbers of wintering waterbirds, and the long-standing WeBS and Goose and Swan Monitoring Programme (GSMP) provide essential data that inform decision makers when considering conservation measures for these birds. With data provided by over 3,800 dedicated volunteers across the UK, the surveys deliver an annual assessment of ducks, geese, swans, waders, and other waterbirds residing on, or passing through, our coasts, estuaries, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. The 2023/24 WeBS report reveals yet more changes in the fortunes of many of our wildfowl and waders. Rarely far from the headlines, High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu, has been wreaking havoc in certain species in recent years. Along with seabirds, wildfowl are amongst those groups of wild birds that have been severely hit. This is due partly to the fact that these birds often congregate in large numbers, which allows the virus to spread rapidly. Mute Swans are amongst our most familiar waterbirds, and reports of dead and dying birds were prevalent across the country in 2021 and 2022. In 2021 more Mute Swans tested positive for bird flu than any other wild bird species, while it was the second most reported species in 2022. A paper, also published this week, collating reports estimates that around 1,000 Mute Swans were found dead between 2021-23. Annual population statistics of waterbirds, released today in the WeBS report, show that in the winter of 2023/24, Mute Swan numbers across England, Scotland and Wales dropped to their lowest level for 25 years. It is not possible to be sure if this decline is wholly a direct consequence of bird flu deaths, but it does indicate how vulnerable some of our most familiar wetland species can be to changes in their environment, along with other threats and pressures. Assessing protected areas Every few years, the annual WeBS report also includes ‘WeBS Alerts’. These are­­­ major ‘stocktakes’ that look at how wintering waterbirds are doing on sites which are legally designated to protect them, compared to how they may be faring in the wider landscape. Among the many findings, it is clear that several species are showing consistent declines across the UK’s protected areas. For example, long-term declines are pronounced in several seaduck species with Scaup, Velvet Scoter, and Long-tailed Duck having all declined by 70% or more. Other species showing persistent downward trends include Goldeneye, Curlew, Grey Plover, and Ringed Plover. These patterns are consistent with broader-scale population changes or shifts in habitat suitability, and they reflect pressures that may not be easily addressed at individual sites. In other words, the populations may be undergoing significant changes due to other factors, and the designated wintering or stop-off sites remain essential for those birds that do use them. Demonstrating site conservation success, for over half of all the 472 species assessments carried out, the population on the protected site was doing better than might be expected or recovering from historic site declines, compared with how the species was doing either regionally or nationally. There are also some species with increasing winter populations – such as Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit – where they have a reduction in the proportion that are on a Special Protection Area, as they spill out into other, less prime, wetlands. Only by measuring the quality of the protected areas, and their value to key species, can conservation decisions reflect the needs of the birds that use them, as well as flag concerns that may direct future conservation efforts. Dr Teresa Frost, BTO’s Head of Waterbird Monitoring said, “We live in a rapidly changing world, and wetland environments are exposed to all kinds of pressures that impact the numbers of swans, ducks, waders, and other waterbirds we see when we visit. Whilst we hope that bird populations can recover from disease-related deaths, it is vital to continue monitoring them, as many other factors affect their numbers locally and nationally.” Simon Wotton, Senior Conservation Scientist at the RSPB said, “Many of the sites surveyed under WeBS are of international importance and designated as Special Protection Areas. The large decline seen in several wetland species across many of these sites is concerning and demonstrates the wider impact of climate change in driving species decline and migration changes. The high-quality, long-term monitoring in this report will help us to ensure that these important habitats for wildlife remain protected.” Dr Kirsi Peck, Evidence Specialist at JNCC said, “In our environment impacted by climate change, habitat loss and unpredictable pressures such as disease, we cannot take for granted the waterbirds that rely on UK every winter in internationally significant numbers. Continued monitoring by WeBS and GSMP is vital to our understanding and helps targeting of conservation policies and action to maintain the important network of wetland sites these birds cannot survive without.” Read the 2023/24 WeBS report The Alerts work was funded by Natural England and WeBS partners.

Published today, the latest BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report shows encouraging news for Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, and Skylarks in Northern Ireland.

Published today, the latest BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report shows encouraging news for Great Spotted Woodpecker, House Sparrow, and Song Thrush, along with continued success for Red Kite in Wales. The report also shows that a range of farmland birds are still struggling in Wales, with the once-common Yellowhammer at an all-time low. Meanwhile, the worrying decline in Curlew in Wales continues apace, along with the long-term fall in the numbers of Rooks. BBS is the main scheme for monitoring the population changes of the UK’s common and widespread breeding birds, producing population trends for 60 species in Wales. Great Spotted Woodpecker is doing well across Wales with an increase of more than 240% since BBS began in 1994. In the last 10 years alone, this attractive woodland and garden bird has increased by almost 20%. A bird more often referred to as declining across much of the UK, the House Sparrow, has also been bucking the trend in Wales, having nearly doubled in the last 30 years. That icon of Welsh skies, the Red Kite, continued to soar through the survey period. Since the mid-1990s, numbers have gone up by an impressive 544%, as part of its recovery from just a handful of remaining pairs in the 1930s, though a notable drop in numbers since last year’s report may give cause for concern. Dipper, an aquatic songbird synonymous with fast flowing Welsh streams and rivers, declined by over 40% in the UK in the last five years and more than half since 1995. Whilst these figures are from the UK overall, Wales supports a large proportion of the UK population. Data from BBS and its sister survey, Waterways Breeding Bird Survey indicate UK-wide concerns for this bird whose population changes are widely linked to water quality. Curlews have declined dramatically across all parts of the United Kingdom, but nowhere more so than in Wales, where numbers continue to crash. These distinctive, and once-common, waders have suffered a massive 76% decline since 1995. The Welsh Curlew population has reduced by more than a quarter in the last five years alone. Dr James Heywood, BBS National Organiser, said, “Wales is the most important part of the UK for some of our most threatened woodland birds and so BBS coverage is something that we are really keen to increase and working hard to do. BBS coverage in Wales was up again in 2024 and it is the volunteers who give their time and skill every year that we must thank. That we can produce trends for 60 species in Wales is no mean feat, particularly given some of the challenging terrain and access.” Julian Hughes, Head of Species, RSPB Cymru, said, “Increases in familiar birds such as Song Thrush and House Sparrow is really welcome, but the silencing of others is a national tragedy. Almost half of our most common native birds on land and freshwater have declined since the mid-1990s. Many local communities, farmers and knowledgeable enthusiasts work hard to keep the summer sound of Swifts in our skies and Curlews in our countryside, but it requires transformational change, urgently and decisively, in government policies to restore nature at scale. Only this will ensure that the next generation can hear Yellowhammers singing in the hedges and House Martins over their rooftops.” Dr Paul Woodcock, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, said, “These results highlight both successes and challenges for Welsh bird populations. While some species show encouraging recoveries, the concerning declines in others emphasise why ongoing monitoring is essential. These long-term surveys provide the evidence base that underpins effective conservation action, allowing us to identify which species need help, where efforts should be focused, and whether interventions are working. The dedicated work of thousands of volunteer birdwatchers across the country doesn't just track numbers – it provides the scientific foundation for protecting the future of our birds and their habitats.” Read the Breeding Bird Survey 2024 report

Published today, the latest BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report reveals good news for some species in Scotland such as Cuckoo and Stonechat, while the much-loved Song Thrush shows signs of bouncing back following years of decline. Breeding Curlews continue their precipitous long-term contraction in Scotland, while the decline of the migrant Wheatear gives cause for concern. Together, these species highlight a worrying picture for upland birds in Scotland, which overall have declined by 20%. BBS is the main scheme for monitoring the population changes of the UK’s common and widespread breeding birds, producing population trends for 77 species in Scotland. The UK-wide trend for Cuckoo is a mixed one, with significant declines apparent across much of its range, particularly in England. In Scotland, however, this iconic harbinger of spring is doing rather well with a remarkable increase of 67% in breeding numbers since BBS was launched in 1994. Once again, the report identifies that Curlew, of which Scotland and the wider UK hold globally important breeding populations, is in severe decline in Scotland. This large familiar wader has suffered a 15% decline in the last decade, contributing to an overall drop in numbers of over 60% since the survey began. Sensitive and dynamic management practices can all help breeding wader populations. These can include the creation and restoration of wet areas, careful control of grazing and the thoughtful siting of commercial forestry activity. Meadow Pipit is a widespread and common bird in many parts and should be familiar to anyone who spends time on the moors and hills, but these relatively unobtrusive birds are experiencing a change in fortune. Since the mid-1990s, the population of breeding Meadow Pipits birds has declined by more than 14% in Scotland. Meanwhile, the Wheatear, a long-distance migrant that breeds in all upland areas of the UK has declined by nearly a third in Scotland since 1995. Together, the combined fate of upland birds in Scotland gives rise to a total decline of 20%, as shown in the Scottish Upland Bird Indicator*. By contrast, another bird regularly found in the northern uplands is the charismatic Stonechat, which has also experienced a notable uptick during the same time period; in just 30 years this small bird has nearly trebled in number. Compared with other habitat groups – for example woodland birds, which are up by over 50% since 1994* – upland birds in Scotland are faring the worst, with multiple pressures including climate change, increased forest cover and changes in land management all at play. Away from the moors and mountains, the familiar Song Thrush is showing encouraging signs of recovery after years of severe declines. In the last decade, this popular songster has increased by 26%, mirroring encouraging signs across the UK. This latest report reveals long-term (28-year) increases for 22 species and long-term decreases for 14 others. Chiffchaff shows the greatest increase and is among a number of woodland species doing particularly well in Scotland, along with Blackcap, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Jay. Dr James Heywood, BBS National Organiser, said, “It is evident that of all the habitats in Scotland, it is in the uplands where birds are most vulnerable at present. Wading birds, particularly the charismatic Lapwing and Curlew, continue to decline in all parts of the country, but so too are some upland specialists. That we are able to detect these changes is remarkable, given the challenges posed by remoteness and terrain in many places. The efforts of BBS volunteers in Scotland are really to be celebrated.” Dr Paul Woodcock, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, said, “These results highlight both successes and challenges for Scottish bird populations. While some species show encouraging recoveries, the concerning declines in others emphasise why ongoing monitoring is essential. These long-term surveys provide the evidence base that underpins effective conservation action, allowing us to identify which species need help, where efforts should be focused, and whether interventions are working. The dedicated work of thousands of volunteer birdwatchers across the country doesn't just track numbers – it provides the scientific foundation for protecting the future of our birds and their habitats.” Dr Simon Wotton, RSPB Senior Conservation Science, said, “The UK’s wildlife is better studied than in any other country in the world and what the data is telling us is that the UK's bird species are mostly in long term decline. This latest report once again shows that our farmland and woodland birds are in a particularly precarious position. What is clear, is that progress to protect our species and habitats has not been sufficient and yet we know we urgently need to restore nature now.” Read the Breeding Bird Survey 2024 report *The composite figures for woodland and upland birds in Scotland were published as an official statistic in January 2025 as the Scottish Terrestrial Breeding Birds 1994-2023. They are largely based on BBS data.

Published today, the latest BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report shows positive news for a range of birds including Firecrest, Marsh Harrier and Cuckoo. However, the Report also reveals worrying declines for familiar woodland and garden species such as Chaffinch and Bullfinch. The latest data also show that some farmland birds that have experienced long-term declines, like Yellowhammer and Yellow Wagtail, continue to struggle. BBS is the main scheme for monitoring the population changes of the UK’s common and widespread breeding birds, producing population trends for 119 species. Of the 119 species monitored by BBS in the UK, 43 have decreased since 1995, the first year from which trends can be calculated, while 36 have increased. The species with the greatest declines include Turtle Dove, which has seen its numbers plummet by 98% and Willow Tit which has declined by 90%. Little Egret, a recent colonist, continues to increase with its numbers booming by 2,726% during the same time period while Red Kite has grown by a massive 2,464% thanks to successful reintroduction programmes across the UK. Not far behind is Ring-necked Parakeet (up by 2,406% in 28 years), an invasive non-native species that is expanding out of London into several other cities in the UK. Despite an overall trend of declines for many of our breeding wild birds, the latest surveys reveal good news for a number of species. Reduced to a single breeding pair in the UK in the 1970s, the Marsh Harrier, an impressive bird of prey of wetlands, has made a startling recovery in recent decades with estimates of 448 nesting pairs in 2022*, and the numbers recorded on BBS squares increasing by 244% since 1995. Similarly, the tiny Firecrest continues its impressive colonisation and has increased, primarily in southern England, by over 240% in just 10 years. Cuckoos, while struggling in many lowland parts of the UK, are faring much better in the uplands and across Scotland according to the latest BBS Report. In Scotland, the population has increased by 67% since BBS was launched in 1994. In the same period, Cuckoos have declined by around a third across the UK overall, with the greatest losses in England which has experienced declines of around 71%. Birds associated with wooded habitats continue to be in trouble with a number of once common and widespread species showing alarming trends. In just five years, Bullfinch numbers have fallen by almost 24% across the UK while Chaffinch, also a familiar garden and hedgerow bird, has declined by close to 40% in the last 10 years. Over the last five years the declines in England have been even more stark, with Bullfinches undergoing a notable decline of nearly 40%, while Chaffinch numbers dropped by almost a third in the same time period, having been impacted by the disease Trichomonosis. Many species of farmland bird have been showing clear signs of decline in recent decades and unfortunately there appears to be little in the way of improvement for many of the affected species. Whilst there is some cause for optimism for some farmland species, with Skylark increasing by nearly 20% and Corn Bunting by 38% in the last decade – albeit from relatively low numbers compared to what they once were in the 1960s – other species continue to decline. Yellowhammer and Yellow Wagtail, both once a common sight across many areas of the UK, are continuing to disappear from much of our agricultural landscape. Yellowhammer has suffered UK-wide declines of around a third since 1995 and two thirds since the mid-1960s. The figure in Wales is even more concerning with a 75% drop in numbers since 1995. In the same period, Yellow Wagtail has crashed by more than half in England and there are signs of yet more decline in recent years, with numbers falling by a fifth in the period 2018 to 2023. The report also reveals that numbers of Blackbird, one of our most familiar garden songbirds, have dropped by 10% in England over the past decade. The London area has been particularly hard hit with Blackbirds there likely impacted by Usutu virus in recent years. However, the overall declines are closer to 4% over the same period across the UK, thanks to notable increases in Wales and especially Northern Ireland where numbers have gone up by a remarkable 40% in the last 10 years. Dr James Heywood, BBS National Organiser, said, “Every year these statistics show good and bad news stories for our birds. That we can do so at all is a testament to the dedication and commitment of thousands of volunteer birdwatchers up and down the country and who deserve enormous thanks. It is especially gratifying that the 2024 season saw BBS achieving its best coverage since pre-COVID (2019). The recent declines of some of our woodland birds are worrying and demand our attention, not least as they come on the back of decades of decline for our farmland species. But the recent – albeit moderate – increases in species like Cuckoo and Skylark do offer some hope.” Dr Paul Woodcock, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, said, “These results highlight both successes and challenges for UK bird populations. While species like the Marsh Harrier show encouraging recoveries, the concerning declines in woodland and farmland birds emphasise why ongoing monitoring is essential. These long-term surveys provide the evidence base that underpins effective conservation action, allowing us to identify which species need help, where efforts should be focused, and whether interventions are working. The dedicated work of thousands of volunteer birdwatchers across the country doesn’t just track numbers – it provides the scientific foundation for protecting the future of our birds and their habitats.” Dr Simon Wotton, RSPB Senior Conservation Science, said, “The UK’s wildlife is better studied than in any other country in the world and what the data are telling us is that the UK's bird species are mostly in long term decline. This latest report once again shows that our farmland and woodland birds are in a particularly precarious position. What is clear, is that progress to protect our species and habitats has not been sufficient and yet we know we urgently need to restore nature now.” Read the Breeding Bird Survey 2024 report * Rare Breeding Birds Panel Report 2022