Menu
26/05/2006
Decline in migratory birds mystifies experts
Bird experts have admitted that they are baffled by the huge decline in the number of migratory birds in the last 30 years.
Scientists fear that their dwindling numbers - well over 50% down in some cases - may be a warning of widespread environmental damage.
Climate change, drought and desertification in Africa, and massive pesticide use on African farmland may all be to blame for the declines of once common UK birds such as the spotted flycatcher, wheatear, wood warbler and turtle dove, a Europe-wide study by the RSPB and BirdLife International said.
Some birds such as the European roller, pallid harrier and lesser kestrel have also vanished from regular breeding sites on the continent. All three are now in danger of extinction, according to IUCN - the World Conservation Union.
"Migrants have been slipping away for more than three decades but the scale of their disappearance is only now becoming apparent," said Dr Fiona Sanderson, a Research Biologist at the RSPB and lead author of the study.
She said: "This is incredibly worrying. We knew that some of these long-distance migrants were declining but we were shocked at the extent of their losses.
"There is something about the migrants' lifestyle that is making them vulnerable and their declines are reminiscent of those we began to see in farmland birds 30 years ago. Migrants have been slipping away for more than three decades but the scale of their disappearance is only now becoming apparent."
The research revealed that 54% of the 121 long-distance migrants studied have declined or become extinct in many parts of Europe since 1970. The study also compared migrants and resident birds with similar characteristics, and in almost every case, the migrant fared worse.
The RSPB's Dr Paul Donald, a co-author of the study, said: "These migrants are highly evolved and some range over a quarter of the planet's land surface. For species like this to be affected so severely suggests that something pretty serious is going wrong somewhere, which cannot be good news for us. These birds used to be common in Europe but many are now rare or extinct in some regions."
There is proof that conservation work for endangered migrants can work. Roseate tern numbers have stabilised due to conservation work in Ghana. There are now almost 200 pairs of ospreys breeding in the UK, partly because of reintroductions and nest protection.
Dr Sanderson said: "We must urgently investigate the effects of climate change and intensive agriculture on migrant birds. Drought and desertification have a massive impact on Africa's human population too, and declines in migrants may provide an early warning of changes that will affect us all.
"But at the same time, the osprey, the roseate tern and the white stork are showing that conservation can work. Now is the time for European governments, committed under international law to halting biodiversity loss by 2010, to be doing much more to help."
(SP/KMcA)
Scientists fear that their dwindling numbers - well over 50% down in some cases - may be a warning of widespread environmental damage.
Climate change, drought and desertification in Africa, and massive pesticide use on African farmland may all be to blame for the declines of once common UK birds such as the spotted flycatcher, wheatear, wood warbler and turtle dove, a Europe-wide study by the RSPB and BirdLife International said.
Some birds such as the European roller, pallid harrier and lesser kestrel have also vanished from regular breeding sites on the continent. All three are now in danger of extinction, according to IUCN - the World Conservation Union.
"Migrants have been slipping away for more than three decades but the scale of their disappearance is only now becoming apparent," said Dr Fiona Sanderson, a Research Biologist at the RSPB and lead author of the study.
She said: "This is incredibly worrying. We knew that some of these long-distance migrants were declining but we were shocked at the extent of their losses.
"There is something about the migrants' lifestyle that is making them vulnerable and their declines are reminiscent of those we began to see in farmland birds 30 years ago. Migrants have been slipping away for more than three decades but the scale of their disappearance is only now becoming apparent."
The research revealed that 54% of the 121 long-distance migrants studied have declined or become extinct in many parts of Europe since 1970. The study also compared migrants and resident birds with similar characteristics, and in almost every case, the migrant fared worse.
The RSPB's Dr Paul Donald, a co-author of the study, said: "These migrants are highly evolved and some range over a quarter of the planet's land surface. For species like this to be affected so severely suggests that something pretty serious is going wrong somewhere, which cannot be good news for us. These birds used to be common in Europe but many are now rare or extinct in some regions."
There is proof that conservation work for endangered migrants can work. Roseate tern numbers have stabilised due to conservation work in Ghana. There are now almost 200 pairs of ospreys breeding in the UK, partly because of reintroductions and nest protection.
Dr Sanderson said: "We must urgently investigate the effects of climate change and intensive agriculture on migrant birds. Drought and desertification have a massive impact on Africa's human population too, and declines in migrants may provide an early warning of changes that will affect us all.
"But at the same time, the osprey, the roseate tern and the white stork are showing that conservation can work. Now is the time for European governments, committed under international law to halting biodiversity loss by 2010, to be doing much more to help."
(SP/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 November 2003
Blunkett celebrates migrants' contribution to Britain
Effectively managed legal migration "is vital" to Britain's economic and social interests, the Home Secretary David Blunkett has said.
Blunkett celebrates migrants' contribution to Britain
Effectively managed legal migration "is vital" to Britain's economic and social interests, the Home Secretary David Blunkett has said.
13 September 2007
Fire At Former Birds Eye Factory In Grimsby
A major fire at a former Birds Eye factory in Grimsby has been successfully tackled by firefighters. Around 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at the disused factory, which broke out shortly after 7pm on Wednesday.
Fire At Former Birds Eye Factory In Grimsby
A major fire at a former Birds Eye factory in Grimsby has been successfully tackled by firefighters. Around 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at the disused factory, which broke out shortly after 7pm on Wednesday.
02 April 2007
No charges over bird flu outbreak
Bernard Matthews will not face charges over the outbreak of bird flu at one of its plants, the Food Standards Agency has announced. Following an investigation, the FSA said that there was no evidence that food waste at the site in Holton, Suffolk, had been stored inappropriately.
No charges over bird flu outbreak
Bernard Matthews will not face charges over the outbreak of bird flu at one of its plants, the Food Standards Agency has announced. Following an investigation, the FSA said that there was no evidence that food waste at the site in Holton, Suffolk, had been stored inappropriately.
22 September 2004
Action needed to reverse 'serious decline' of farmland birds
Conservationists have called for action following the "serious decline" of UK farmland birds on grassland farmed for dairy, beef and sheep.
Action needed to reverse 'serious decline' of farmland birds
Conservationists have called for action following the "serious decline" of UK farmland birds on grassland farmed for dairy, beef and sheep.
30 January 2004
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
