UK Bird Populations Continue Decline Underway Since 60s - Seabirds OK, Farm, Woodland #s Badly Down

[hatrack]

Populations of wild birds in the UK are falling dramatically with even slight recent recoveries apparently stalled, government figures showed today. Only seabird populations remain comfortably above 1970 levels, while farmland bird numbers continue to plunge from a brief mid-1970s peak to half those of 40 years ago.

Habitat changes responsible for fewer nesting sites and food shortages were blamed last summer for sharp English farmbird losses but the reasons for the decline in woodland birds are less clear, according to the RSPB.

However research led by the British Trust for Ornithology has suggested agricultural intensification has also hit birds favouring wet grassland and moorland. Less vegetation cover and scrub, overgrazing by deer, more drainage of nearby farmland and changing winter climate may all be factors in the woodland bird decline.

Some farmland birds, such as the grey partridge, turtle dove, starling, tree sparrow, corn bunting and yellow wagtail have declined by over 70% over the period of official monitoring based on annual surveys of breeding sites and other data relating to 121 species. But wood pigeon and jackdaw populations have doubled and stock dove and greenfinch numbers risen by 50%.

EDIT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/20/uk-wild-bird-numbers

[madrchsod]

1. in the late 40`s the us government wanted farmers to plant ...

hedges to stop wind and water erosion and increase bird populations.

the biggest culprits are,urbanization, the ripping up of fences,mowing country roadsides, ,two crop planting,and farm chemicals.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

2. Dontcha know?

Bird killing is sanctioned. Sort of... http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4704514

[Lorien]

3. Yep. One wonders if U.S. killing for corporate profit$ tactics are being employed

in the U.K and elsewhere. Upsetting the balance of nature this much will have dire consequences.