State of bird populations in Britain and Ireland

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511778230.019

17 - State of bird populations in Britain and Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 August 2012

Robert A. Robinson

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Norman Maclean

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Norman Maclean: Affiliation:
University of Southampton

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Summary

The bird fauna of Britain and Ireland has been studied for over 500 years and changes in numbers over the last 40 years are well documented by a range of surveys, mostly undertaken by volunteers. Britain and Ireland are home to internationally important numbers of seabirds in the breeding season and many species of wildfowl and waders in the winter. Although there has been little overall change in total bird numbers, about half of bird species in Britain and Ireland are of conservation concern because of small or declining populations. In the last 30 years, declines in farmland birds have been well documented, but declines in many woodland and migratory birds are just beginning to be recognised. Conversely, there have been increases in numbers of many raptors, seabirds and waterbirds. In general, habitat specialists have tended to decline most, while more adaptable, generalist species are increasing in number. Climate change threatens bird populations in all habitats, but loss of habitat and deterioration in habitat quality are more pressing threats. Conservationists have been successful at increasing populations of rarer species, but the greater challenge will be conserving birds in the wider countryside, which will require the integration of conservation goals with wider social and landscape policies.

Introduction

More is known about the birds of Britain than the vertebrate fauna of virtually any other country.

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Silent Summer
The State of Wildlife in Britain and Ireland
, pp. 281 - 318

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511778230.019 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2010

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