Tp 3 on increase and top 3 in decline

FUDGEY · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 08:11 AM

Just out of interest I was wondering what birds have you noticed increasing and decreasing in your area over the last few years? I am based in SW Scotland and here are mine. Top 3 on the increase 1.Goldfinch 2.Buzzard and 3. Great Spotted woodpecker (New arrivals that are showing up in numbers are Ospreys and Nuthatches, a couple of years ago there were none in my area) Top 3 in decline 1. Tree Sparrow 2. Mistle Thrush 3. Spotted Flycatcher I used to see this regularly, but never see them much at all these days.

Ruth Daniel · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 08:16 AM

Interesting Fudgey!

I've seen loads of Mistle's already this year and House Sparrow are very numerous here too.....haven't seen a Spot Fly for a long time tho and this years Swift numbers don't seem too good at the moment!
Like you Buzzards and Goldfinches are very common in and over the garden and Woodpigeons are becoming a nuisance!

Hedge Witch · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 08:18 AM

In my area of Middlesex:

On the up

:
Grey Wagtails
Goldfinches
Gold Crests

In decline

:
Greenfinches
Sparrows
Starlings

RobinP · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 08:23 AM

As far as migrants are concerned in my part of Herts,

Up...

1. Whitethroat
2. Cuckoo (first time in about 10 years!)
3. Sedge Warbler

Down...

1. Turtle Dove
2. Swift
3. House Martin

lewiso · #5 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 09:13 AM

on the increase id say..
buzzards
wood pigeons
coal tits

on the decrease
starlings (where have they all gone?)
house sparrows
wagtails in general

Gill Catton · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 11:43 AM

I find it very difficult to be certain if a bird is changing in numbers between years or if its actually just that i'm noticing a species more in one year to the next........

I tend to check the BTO website for changes as they have a good regular methodology they use for national census and also constant effort sites that can be used to monitor regional changes too.

Hedge Witch · #7 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 11:51 AM

I was basically referring to birds in or around my garden and the town I live in. I was viewing this thread as just a bit of fun.

Tringa · #8 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 01:06 PM

Interesting thread Fudgey.

From my garden in east London the birds that have increased are -

Green Woodpecker - not often seen but heard most days in the spring and summer,

Great Spotted Woodpecker - until a few years ago I had never seen one, and

Sparrowhawk - I see about four or so a year, but until about five years ago I never saw one.

In decline -

Tawny Owl - many years ago they could be heard calling in the cemetery over the back wall. I haven't heard one for ages.

House Martins - can't remember the last time I saw one.