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The State of Birds in Wales |
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Tuesday, 10 January 2006 |
The State of Birds in Wales
The latest edition of The State of Birds in Wales shows further declines on farmland as well as some success stories.
The successes included ospreys being bred for the first time on record,
the population of nightjars growing by 25% in 10 years and hen
harriers, pictured below, increasing by 50% over six years - although
there are still only 43 breeding pairs.
The bad news came from breeding curlews and some other farmland birds.
"Birds of farmed habitats in Wales have declined further in recent
years and their abundance is now at its lowest for a decade," said Reg
Thorpe, species team manager for RSPB Cymru.
"Many species may respond to agri-environment schemes and maps of key
bird areas will be used in the new entry-level scheme Tir Cynnal to
make sure the best options for yellowhammers and tree sparrows are
targeted to the places these birds are still found.
"Our aim is to see similar measures used to focus action in other agri-environment schemes such as Tir Gofal."
Mr Thorpe said the State of Birds in Wales reports provide an invaluable tool for bird conservation.
"The data collected by volunteers and colleagues is helping us to
direct our finite resources to the species that are of the highest
conservation priority in Wales," he said.
Si n Whitehead, senior ornithologist with the Countryside Council for
Wales, said the report helped experts focus on some of the key bird
conservation issues in Wales.
"In addition to identifying where we must continue to focus our
resources, it also highlights the importance of the Welsh environment
for species that are prospering," she said.
"It provides a reminder of how valuable our seabird populations are,
and also demonstrates how Wales can provide suitable habitat for new
colonisers such as osprey and avocet."
John Lloyd, who co-ordinates the British Trust for Ornithology's
volunteers in Wales, said the information they could provide to
government decision-makers was getting better and better as greater
numbers of birdwatchers monitored and submitted their reports on the
populations of our common and once-common birds.
"2004 was a record year for submissions to the Breeding Bird Survey,
which is at the heart of The State of Birds in Wales," he said.
Peter Cranswick, head of water bird monitoring at the Wildfowl and
Wetlands Trust, said the report helped to clarify conservation
priorities.
"And in keeping track of progress against conservation targets, this
report is also crucial for ensuring that the impetus to continue
conservation action is sustained," he said.
The report is compiled from dedicated survey work by volunteers, county
bird recorders and representatives from a range of organisations. |
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