THE British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO’s) latest BirdTrends report has revealed that many widespread and formerly common birds are experiencing severe declines.
Twenty-eight species, almost a quarter of those included in the BirdTrends report, have exhibited a fall in numbers of greater than 50 per cent over the last 35-45 years.
“National declines in farmland birds are well-documented and these latest figures show that this decrease is continuing”, explains the report’s lead author, Senior Research Fellow Dr Stephen Baillie.
“The results of BTO surveys show that many familiar garden birds are also experiencing problems.
“House Sparrow numbers have dropped by almost 70 per cent since the 1960s and the data suggest that sparrows occupying urban and suburban habitats are faring worst.”
“The range of garden birds experiencing population declines appears to be increasing”, explains report co-author John Marchant.
“While many will be familiar with the disappearance of House Sparrow, Starling and Spotted Flycatcher, it may surprise people to know that House Martin, Mistle Thrush and Greenfinch are heading in the same direction.”
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