RSPB report on UK's most threatened birds

31/03/2007 00:00:00 A recent study reveals a mixed picture for the 26 most threatened UK birds. The research shows that most of the rarest species have done well, while more numerous species of conservation concern have, in general, declined.

In 1995, birds whose UK numbers had halved over 25 years or those birds threatened with global extinction were treated as the highest priority with each of twenty six species receiving its own Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). 11 years on, the study shows that although 9 species are doing well, the remainder are at best stable, while some have declining populations.

10 out of the 26 bird species are considered widespread as they can be found across many parts of the UK. The song thrush has increased by 18% over the last 12 years, although still a long way off former levels. 7 out of 10 widespread species, including skylark, grey partridge, turtle dove and bullfinch, all continue to decline. Alarmingly, turtle dove numbers are down by nearly 50%. Hopefully Government funds for wildlife friendly farming techniques will help create the conditions the birds need to thrive. It is likely that such measures have not been put in place long enough for the effects to be noticed yet.

More encouragingly, scarcer birds such as the bittern, woodlark, and the nightjar have all increased, thanks mostly to the work of conservation groups and government agencies on the Biodiversity Action Plans. Populations of some rare species, like the cirl bunting, corncrake and stone-curlew, have responded well to the actions in the BAPs, but they still haven’t recolonised much of their former range, these birds remain at higher density in core hotspots.

The RSPB conservation director, Dr Mark Avery, said: ‘The recovery of some species has been sufficient to prove the success of biodiversity action plans. However, the challenge now is to see all priority species turning around their fortunes. ‘The UK government has agreed to halt the decline of wildlife by 2010. With less than 4 years to go, we’ll need to see urgent action before some of our most rapidly declining species turn the corner, especially as a review this year is forecast to highlight the inclusion of many more birds which are currently declining.’