Birds
Birds are considered to be a good indicator of the broad state of wildlife and countryside because they inhabit a wide range of habitats, tend to be near the top of the food chain, are popular and have long time series of data. The index of wild bird populations is one of the Government’s headline indicators for sustainable development in the UK.
The population of all native birds, including farmland and woodland species, in the South West showed no significant change, with the index increasing by 6% between 1994 and 2005, similar to the national trend. The indices for 36 of the 78 individual bird species included in the index increased by 10% or more. The Raven population fared particularly well, while Lapwings and Cuckoos fared quite poorly. Eighteen of the 78 estimates for individual bird species, including some farmland and woodland species, were partly based on data from areas outside the region. (Defra, RSPB, British Trust for Ornithology, 2007).
Long term trends show that farmland bird populations declined by 45% in the South West between 1970 and 1994, (Defra, 2003). Comparisons between this and the 1994 – 2004 survey need to be approached with care due to differences in survey methodology and species composition. The population of farmland birds in the South West showed no significant change, with the index decreasing by 5% between 1994 and 2005, similar to the national trend. The indices for three of the 16 individual farmland bird species included in the index showed a decrease of 10% or more. Lapwing populations fared particularly badly. (Defra, RSPB, British Trust for Ornithology, 2007).
Long term trends show that woodland birds declined by 32% between 1970 and 1994, faster than the national average of 15%, (Defra, 2003). The population of woodland birds in the South West showed no significant change, with the index decreasing by 5% between 1994 and 2005, broadly in line with the national trend. The indices for nine of the 29 individual woodland bird species included in the index decreased by 10% or more. Willow Tit populations fared particularly poorly. (Defra, RSPB, British Trust for Ornithology, 2007).
More information about birds is available from the South West Observatory Environment website. Farmland birds is also an indicator used to monitor progress of the Regional Environment Strategy.