Woodland birds come back home

A comprehensive survey of woodland birds and their whereabouts showed that populations have increased significantly across the UK.

Eleven out of 34 species showed a substantial increase in numbers (greater than 25 per cent), while eight showed great decreases (over 25 per cent).
 
The most worrying trend, however, was the decline in long distance migrants, confirmed for the first time in the survey.
 
Birds such as the tree pipit and spotted flycatcher suffered a population reduction of up to 70 per cent in some areas.
 
UK resident birds and mid-distance migrants came up trumps with a continued growth among the more common species such as coal, blue and great tits.
 
However, concerns still remain for the dwindling populations of the willow tit, which showed a decline of over 70 per cent in various regions.
 
Adversely, the green and greater spotted woodpeckers proved to increase substantially – by over 200 per cent in a few locations – while lesser spotted woodpeckers were down 59 per cent.
 
Mr Knight said: “Woodland birds are a vital part of our natural heritage and while some of the birds featured in this report are familiar to us from back gardens and parks across the country, others like the willow tit and tree pipit are less common and becoming rarer.
 
“This survey not only tells us about the species themselves, but is a useful indicator of wider biodiversity issues within our countryside that are impacting on our birds.�
 
The study covered 406 woodland sites, and allows data comparison with similar surveys carried out in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
 
This enables the development of a comprehensive picture of the status and health of our woodland bird diversity, and to analyse trends and developing concerns.
 
Rob Fuller of the BTO, one of the co-authors of the report, added: “We were not surprised that the study confirmed that large declines have occurred in certain resident species, notably willow tit, lesser spotted woodpecker and hawfinch. 
 
“However, the declines in those summer visitors that spend the winter in Africa were more serious than we were expecting. 
 
“At the same time it has been reassuring to see that several species are thriving in woodlands, such as chiffchaffs, blackcaps, great tits and coal tits.�