| Re: Dramatic Fall in Numbers of Migratory Birds
It's a combination of things. Firstly, the loss of habitat in their wintering grounds. The changing extent of The Sahel in Africa that catches a lot of migrants out who succumb to thirst. Then they have to navigate their way through the guns, nets and lime sticks in places like Italy, Malta, and Cyprus.
Plus they usually have two large bodies of water to get across. We have had very little in the way of decent migration weather this year and there were similar situations for the past three years, when we have had predominantly N/NE winds that hold back many of our migrants on the shores of Spain and France.
Had my first Common Tern and Swift for the year today.
Cheers,
Adam |