Shifts in bird migration blamed on mild winters

CHANGES in the climate have contributed to dramatic shifts in the numbers of different wetland bird species visiting the UK in the winter, according to a study released today.

The numbers of widespread water birds such as ring plovers and pochards over-wintering in the UK have fallen by about a half in the past decade, according to the survey by a coalition of conservationists.

But the analysis of the 50 top wetland birds – excluding gulls – showed that other species including avocets and little egrets have increased their numbers in the winter months in this country.

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Milder winters have allowed little egrets to push further north into the UK, increasing their numbers by more than 800 per cent in the past decade.

And the combination of warmer weather and targeted conservation action appears to have boosted the breeding success of avocets.

But the milder winters have meant that other species migrating from the Arctic and northern Europe do not have to travel as far to find conditions suitable for over-wintering and are not coming to the UK in as high numbers as in the past.

Ringed plovers and bar-tailed godwits are among the species which appear to be shifting away from wintering in this country.

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The RSPB's Grahame Madge said birds migrating from the Arctic and Scandinavia would only travel as far as they needed to find suitable conditions for the winter.

"Conditions have been generally mild in winter, notwithstanding this winter, and the birds are not having to travel so far," he said.

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