Migrant birds to Britain

[kielder]

Hello

There isn't a migrating bird to Britain section, so had to put it here! Just found this news report, dated 22 April 2008, from http://www.arkive.org/news/20080422-...n-decline.html. Here is a part of the article:

"Each spring, an estimated five billion birds come to Europe to breed, before returning to Africa in the autumn. The journey, which has always been regarded as a tremendous feat, covers thousands of miles across oceans and deserts. However, recent research undertaken by the RSPB has indicated that numbers of these migrating species are in considerable decline. Sightings of migrating birds such as the spotted flycatcher, which traditionally appears in Britain during spring, have gradually become less common.

The reasons for the dwindling populations are unknown and are likely to reflect a number of different factors, including loss of suitable habitat in Africa and climate change. These worrying findings are due to be discussed by ornithologists from all over Europe at a meeting in Germany next month."

Has anyone noticed a change in the amounts and timings of migrants?

Helen

[djackso]

I have noticed a scarcity of willow warblers. Not sure of the reason. There are loads of chiff chaffs though.

Last year there was a spotted flycatcher in the grounds where I work - I haven't seen one this year, but I haven't looked that hard.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by djackso

I have noticed a scarcity of willow warblers. Not sure of the reason. There are loads of chiff chaffs though.

Last year there was a spotted flycatcher in the grounds where I work - I haven't seen one this year, but I haven't looked that hard.

Yes there's been a real drop in the numbers of Willow Warblers in the south, whereas the're still doing well in the north apparently. Spotted Flycatchers have shown an even steeper decline- sad really!

[snake]

I have only seen one pair of Wheatears this year. Very unusual for my patch. Also I have only seen one cuckoo so far which is not the norm for this area.
It does make you wonder why.

[Rob_D]

I completely agree about the Willow Warblers - can't find any on my local patch this year although other places not so far away have quite a few. I had to work quite hard to find Spotted Flycatcher too this year, though maybe that was because there were alot of late arrivals.

I'd be interested if there are any suggestions for the declines out there. Perhaps land use changes in their wintering grounds?