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Spotted Flycatchers on the increase
Posted 26 Apr 2018
The latest Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report, published today, shows a 66% increase for Spotted Flycatcher during 2011–2016 and a 21% upturn for Willow Warbler in Scotland over the last 23 years. In England, both of these birds are in trouble.
Since the start of the BBS in 1994, the UK has lost over a third of its breeding Spotted Flycatchers, and the decline in
England has been a whopping 65%. The species is Red-listed and of the highest conservation concern, based on its
longer-term decline. The Willow Warbler has fared better, with 9% of the UK breeding population being lost since
1994 - but the decline in England has been a worrying 40%.
The upturn in both of these long-distance migrants in Scotland, and the stark contrast with their fortunes in England, has
been tracked thanks to record levels of coverage undertaken by volunteer recorders. A fantastic 2,814 people took time
to survey birds during the breeding season in their allocated survey squares across the UK, allowing scientists at the
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) to build a very accurate picture of just how our bird populations are doing.
The BBS Report gives long-term trends for 117 common and widespread bird species, providing vital evidence to underpin the
conservation of the UK’s birds.
by Simon Byland
