Natural England

A new report examining bird population trends has highlighted a doubling of the overall numbers of 39 species [note] of waterbirds, ducks, geese, swans and wading birds spending the winter in the UK in the last three decades. However, State of the UK’s Birds 2006 also shows that the wintering populations of some species are declining, principally, it is suggested, because of climate change.

Every winter the UK receives two million ducks, geese, swans and wading birds, from northern Europe, Greenland, Siberia and Arctic Canada. These birds are attracted to spend the winter in Britain and Ireland because of the relatively mild climate and ice-free conditions.

According to the State of the UK’s Birds 2006 report, which has the populations of some species, notably wading birds including the black-tailed godwit and the avocet, have increased markedly since the late 1970s, largely as a result of conservation action. But, concerns are growing over the decline in the populations of seven other regular visitors, including the Greenland white-fronted goose, European white-fronted goose, shelduck, mallard, pochard, ringed plover, dunlin and turnstone.

The precise reasons for the decline of each species vary, but a common theme appears to be climate change. As winters become milder both in the UK and elsewhere, it appears that some birds are not forced to fly as far as the UK to find suitable conditions: this trend has been particularly noted in Northern Ireland with declines of pochard and Bewick’s swan.

Dr Baz Hughes, head of species conservation at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, said: “Every winter, the UK’s estuaries, marshes and wetlands throng with the arrival of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds, making the UK one of the most important countries in the world for some of these birds.

“However, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the declining numbers of some populations. While some are simply taking advantage of milder winters by staying on the continent, others like the Greenland white-fronted goose, are in real and rapid decline. Conservation action is needed urgently to reverse these declines.”

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s conservation director, said: “The UK has had both the perfect climate and perfect habitats for these birds, but the evidence is growing that climate change impacts are starting to bite. Sea level rise and warmer winters are reducing their numbers, undermining our importance for birds.”

The BTO’s Dr Mark Rehfisch, one of the report’s authors, said: “For over 30 years, teams of volunteers have braved the worst conditions a British winter can muster to count the numbers of birds visiting each of the UK’s most important sites for wetland birds. This huge effort has not only contributed to one of the best sources of bird information in the world, it is also vital in helping us to understand climate change impacts on the natural world.”

Natural England's Chief Scientist Tom Tew said: “Sympathetic and effective management of the UK's world-renowned network of internationally important waterbird sites and the surrounding countryside is vital if we are to minimise the adverse impacts of climate change on our overwintering birds.

“Agri-environment schemes have a crucial role to play by encouraging land management practices that benefit birds and other wildlife.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Wetland Bird Survey is the monitoring scheme non-breeding waterbirds in the UK. It is a partnership between BTO, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, the RSPB and JNCC (on behalf of Natural England, Scottish National Heritage, Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment and Heritage Service.

2. The populations of 39 species of native wetland bird are monitored every year. These population figures are aggregated within the UK wintering waterbird indicator. The 39 native species featured within the indicator are: Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficolis; Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus; Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo; Mute swan Cygnus olor; Bewick's swan Cygnus columbianus; Whooper swan Cygnus cygnus; Pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhyncus; European white-fronted goose Anser albifrons albifrons; Icelandic Greylag goose Anser anser; Re-established Greylag goose Anser anser; Svalbard Barnacle goose Branta leucopsis; Dark-bellied Brent goose Branta bernicla bernicla; Light-bellied Brent goose (Svalbard) Branta bernicla hrota; Light-bellied Brent goose (High Arctic) Branta bernicla hrota; Shelduck Tadorna tadorna; Wigeon Anas penelope; Gadwall Anas strepera; Teal Anas crecca; Mallard Anas platyrhynchos; Pintail Anas acuta; Shoveler Anas clypeata; Pochard Aythya ferina; Tufted duck Aythya fuligula; Goldeneye Bucephala clangula; Red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator; Goosander Mergus merganser; Coot Fulica atra; Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus; Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta; Ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula; Grey plover Pluvialis squatarola; Knot Calidris canutus; Sanderling Calidris alba; Dunlin Calidris alpina; Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa; Bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica; Curlew Numenius arquata; Redshank Tringa totanus; Turnstone Arenaria interpres.

For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005.

Issued on behalf of British Trust for Ornithology, Countryside Council for Wales, Environment and Heritage Service, Natural England, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust