Britain’s wild bird figures on the up

A GLIMMER of hope has emerged for Britain’s wild birds as, after years of decline, there are finally small signs of recovery. The Wild Bird Populations in the UK report shows that despite a poor 2018 breeding season, around a third of species are increasing.

The annual report, which has been recorded since 1970, acts as a stocktake of species groups including farmland, woodland, breeding wetland, wintering wetland and seabirds. Looking at all 130 measured species between 1970 and 2018, the positives and negatives are balanced – with 29 per cent of bird species on the up and 28 per cent in decline.

Skylark, corn bunting, reed bunting and linnet populations have all shown short-term increases, and tree sparrow, starling, lapwing and kestrel have all remained stable over the five-year period. Grey partridge populations are still in decline and showing no sign of recovery.