The big freeze

[pegasus]

It's currently -12% in tropical Knutsford and there seems to be no imminent end to this 'cold snap'-----i wonder if anyone knows what the likely impact will be on the bird population?--I suspect local garden birds might be ok if we keep the feeders[and water] well stocked, but what about the others?---I suspect we will lose quite a lot, but i would welcome any knowledgeable estimate of fatalities.

[SheffieldLass]

Wrens are known to suffer considerable mortality in harsh winters. The population near Sheffield seemed to crash badly after the snow last winter. I had hoped that they had done a bad weather migration and would reappear when it improved, or at least by breeding time, but the numbers were much smaller than they had been during the following summer. Goldcrests also suffered a big hit last winter according to the BTO.

BTO - Breeding Birds of the Wider Countryside: Wren

This was from the BTO Birdtrack news Nov 2009:

"MIXED FORTUNES FOR CRESTS

Goldcrests and Firecrests have experienced very mixed fortunes this autumn. Several Bird Observatories have reported a distinct lack of Goldcrests, backed up by anecdotal reports from many birders. The apparent population crash is reflected by the BirdTrack reporting rate which shows that they have featured on less than half the complete lists than normal for this time of year. Last winter was the coldest for 12 years and the very low temperatures both here and in Scandinavia seem the most likely cause for the decline.

In contrast, it has been an excellent autumn for Firecrests. During September, October and November there were 23% more reports on BirdGuides than 2008. The difference between the two crests’ fortunes is probably attributable to the more southerly distribution of Firecrest, meaning that a smaller proportion of the population suffered the effects of the exceptionally cold winter 2008/09.

Goldcrest reporting rate: s424-20-09
Firecrest reporting rate: s425-20-09

[earthdragon64]

Although no figures are given for possible fatalities, the Scottish government have placed a temporary ban on the hunting of verious types of Wildfowl because of the severe weather. The ban started on the 5th of January for 14 days, but it can be reviewed after a week, or extended.

BBC News - Freeze leads to wildfowl hunt ban

I think a similar ban is currently in place in Northern Ireland as well.